PM10 Particulates

HC Deb 17 March 1994 vol 239 cc787-8W

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to set a limit on acceptable levels of PM10 particulates in the air.

Mr. Atkins

The expert panel on air quality standards, a group of independent medical and scientific experts which recommends air quality standards to the Secretary of State for the Environment, is currently considering a standard for particulates.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the link between levels of PM10 particulates in the air and traffic levels.

Mr. Atkins

The recently published second report of the quality of urban air review group estimated that in 1991 road vehicles contributed 27 per cent. and 42 per cent. of United Kingdom emissions of PM₁₀ and black smoke respectively. In London, QUARG estimated the contribution of road vehicles to emissions of black smoke was 94 per cent.