Air Quality Objectives
Objectives for air pollution are concentrations over a given time period that are considered to be acceptable in the light of what is known about the effects of each pollutant on health and on the environment. They can also be used as a bench mark to see if air pollution is getting better or worse.
The objectives adopted in the Kent and Medway Region are part of the Air Quality Strategy published by the Government in January 2000. A summary of these objectives is given in the table below.
| Pollutant | Objective | Measured as | To be achieved by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene |
16.25 µg/m3 | Running Annual Mean | 31 December 2003 |
| Benzene |
5 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2010 |
| 1,3-Butadiene | 2.25 µg/m3 | Running Annual Mean | 31 December 2003 |
| Carbon monoxide |
10.0 mg/m3 | Maximum daily running 8 Hour Mean | 31 December 2003 |
| Lead | 0.5 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2004 |
| 0.25 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2008 | |
| Nitrogen dioxidea | 200 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than 18 times per year |
1 Hour Mean | 31 December 2005 |
| 40 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2005 | |
| Nitrogen Oxides** | (V) 30 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2000 |
| Ozone* | 100 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than 10 times per year |
8 hourly running or hourly mean |
31 December 2005 |
| Particles (PM10) (gravimetric)b |
50 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year |
Daily Mean | 31 December 2004 |
| 40 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2004 | |
| Sulphur dioxide | 266 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year |
15 Minute Mean | 31 December 2005 |
| 350 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than 24 times per year |
1 Hour Mean | 31 December 2004 | |
| 125 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than 3 times per year |
24 Hour Mean | 31 December 2004 | |
| (V) 20 µg/m3 | Annual Mean | 31 December 2000 | |
| (V) 20 µg/m3 | Winter Mean (01 October - 31 March) | 31 December 2000 | |
| Notes: a. The objectives for nitrogen dioxide are provisional. b. Measured using the European gravimetric transfer sampler or equivalent. µg/m3 - micrograms per cubic metre mg/m3 - milligrams per cubic metre *Ozone is not included in the Regulations ** Assuming NOx is taken as NO2 (V) These standards are adopted for the protection of vegetation and ecosystems. All of the remainder are for the protection of human health. |
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