Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards: Addendum to Guidelines for halogen and hydrogen halides in ambient air for protecting human health against acute irritancy effects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
Ergon House, Area 3C, 17 Smith Square, London. SW1P 3JR
Telephone: 020 7238 1698
Email: tim.williamson@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.defra.gov.uk
14 May 2008
Dear Sir/Madam,
Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards: Addendum to Guidelines for halogen and hydrogen halides in ambient air for protecting human health against acute irritancy effects
The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) was established in 1991 to provide independent advice on air quality issues, in particular the levels of pollution at which no or minimal health effects are likely to occur. Members of the Panel are primarily drawn from those eminent in the fields of health research, practice and teaching. The Panel's recommendations were adopted as the benchmark standards in the National Air Quality Strategy.
EPAQS give advice on non-occupational ambient air quality standards, with particular reference to the levels of airborne pollutants at which no or minimal effects on human health are likely to occur, taking account of the best available evidence. This is done without reference to the practicality of abatement or mitigation measures, the economic costs and economic benefits of pollution control measures or other factors pertinent to the management rather than the assessment of risk. The Panel also identifies gaps in the knowledge needed for standard setting and suggests potential priority areas for future research; for the purpose of informing the development of policy on the improvement of air quality and increasing public knowledge and understanding of air quality issues.
All EPAQS reports are published in draft, to allow expert comment before the Panel reaches their final conclusions.
I am pleased to announce that the draft EPAQS report on “Addendum to Guidelines for halogen and hydrogen halides in ambient air: Provisional Guidelines for Hydrogen Iodide and Hydrogen Fluoride for Protecting Human Health against Chronic Systemic Effects” is published today for comments on the technical and scientific content. The report is available on the Defra website: at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/halogen-halides/
The EPAQS report “Guidelines for Halogens and Halides in Ambient Air for Protecting Human Health Against Acute Irritancy Effects” was published in February 2006. These recommended guideline values are intended to represent a level at which no significant health effects would be expected to occur over the short-term, specifically guarding against the effects of acute irritancy.
During the development of these guideline values, it was agreed that EPAQS should produce an addendum to the report addressing the long-term (chronic) exposure effects of Hydrogen Iodide and Hydrogen Fluoride.
The addendum proposes provisional guideline values for chronic systemic effects resulting from airborne exposure to hydrogen iodide and hydrogen fluoride. It should be read in conjunction with the main report, in particular with reference to the methodology used by EPAQS for recommending guideline values.
I should be grateful for any technical comments you may have on the report to be sent to the EPAQS Secretariat by 6th August 2008, at Air and Environment Quality Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Area 3C Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR; Fax +44 (0)207 238 1657, Email: tim.williamson@defra.gsi.gov.uk. I would particularly invite those consulted to draw attention to any sources of relevant, published, peer reviewed information that the Group may not have considered in coming to its conclusions.
In line with Defra's policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive may be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. The information they contain may also be published in a summary of responses.
If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. You should also be aware that there may be circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.
The Information Resource Centre will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, e-mail: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hours' notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.
If you have any comments or complaints about the consultation process, as opposed to the content in the consultation paper, please address them to Marjorie Addo, Defra’s Consultation Co-ordinator, Area 7C Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, or email consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Thank you for your help in this matter. If you have any queries please contact us as above.
Yours faithfully,
Tim Williamson
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Page published: 14 May 2008