Sulphur Dioxide (London)

HC Deb 05 June 1990 vol 173 cc481-2W

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much sulphur dioxide there is on average and at maximum levels in the air in London.

Mr. Trippier

As part of the national pollution monitoring network, SO₂ is measured at two sites in London. The provisional annual mean and peak concentrations (in parts per billion) for 1989–90 are as follows:

Site	Annual mean	Peak
Cromwell Road	16.6	185
Central London	10.7	226

Data for peak values should be viewed in the context of international agreements protecting human health, which specify mandatory concentration limit values linked to exposure for a period of time. SO₂ concentrations are controlled by EC directive 80/779; the limit values it specifies have never been breached in London since the directive came into force.