§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the target date for achievement of compliance with the National Air Quality Strategy objective is. [71616]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 19 July 2002]: The objectives and compliance dates are set out in the following table.
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Air quality objectives for protection of human health Pollutant Objective* Concentration Date to be measured as achieved by Benzene 16.25 µg/m3 (5ppb) running annual mean 31 December 2003 1,3-butadiene 2.25 µg/m3 (1ppb)
running annual mean 31 December 2003 Carbon monoxide 11.6 µg/m3 (10ppm) 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 dioxide 200 µg/m3 (105ppb) 1 hour mean 31 December 2005 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year 40 µg/m3(21ppb) annual mean 31 December 2005 Particles (PM10) 50 µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 24 hour mean 31 December 2004 40 µg/m3 annual mean 31 December 2004 Sulphur dioxide 350 µ/m3(132ppb) 1 hour mean 31 December 2004 not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year 125 µg/m3 (47ppb) not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year 24 hour mean 31 December 2004 266 µ/m3 (100ppb) 15 minute mean 31 December 2005 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year Ozone 100 µg/m3 (50ppb) not to be exceeded more than 10 times a year daily maximum of running 8 hour mean 31 December 2005 Objectives for the protection of vegetation and ecosytems Nitrogen oxides 30 µg/m3 (16ppb) annual mean 31 December 2000 Sulphur dioxide 20 "g/m3 (8ppb) annual mean 31 December 2000 20µ/m3(8ppb) winter average (1 October to 31 March) 31 December 2000 * µg/m3micrograms per cubic metre
mg/m3milligrames per cubic metre
ppb/ppm: parts per billion/million
Further details of these objectives, together with modelled forecasts for each pollutant, are set out in the January 2000 Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The document can be viewed on the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/ env ironment/airquality/inde x.htm.