e-Digest Statistics about: Air Quality
Concentrations of Particulates
Airborne particulate matter is a very diverse material in terms of its physical and chemical properties and there are many sources which contribute to atmospheric concentrations. Particulate air pollution episodes are responsible for causing premature deaths among those with pre-existing lung and heart disease.
Table 12 shows PM10 concentrations and exceedences against Air Quality Strategy and UK criteria at automatic monitoring sites in 2006. It should be noted that measurements are presented in gravimetric units for Air Quality Strategy objectives and in TEOM units for the banding system (gravimetric units are currently calculated as TEOM x 1.3). The objective that by the end of 2004 the 24 hour mean should not exceed 50 µg/m³ more than 35 times a year was not met at 6 sites. The objective that by 2004 the annual mean should not exceed 40 µg/m³ was exceeded only at London Marylebone Road. Figures 8 and Figure 9 show trends in exceedences at urban sites of the objective levels for the 24 hour and annual means respectively.
During the year, 52 of the 61 monitoring sites recorded running 24 hour mean concentrations in the 'moderate' band, of which 17 sites recorded periods in the 'high' band, and 4 recorded periods when concentrations reached 'very high' levels. Counting only those sites with over 75 per cent data capture.
In the UK, measurements of PM10 are largely founded on the use of the TEOMs. Unlike the standard ‘reference' method of the EU first Daughter Directive, which produces data several days after particles are collected, the majority of monitors in the UK's network allow near real-time dissemination of information to the public and give sensitive individuals the opportunity to take appropriate action should particulate levels increase. Despite the TEOM's non-equivalence with the first Daughter Directive reference method, the conclusions from its data corrected using the current 1.3 factor would be broadly the same as those from the reference method. Any difference may under or over-estimate readings depending on the site. A recent study [51] indicated that most TEOMs retrofitted with Filter Dynamic Measurement System (FDMS) would achieve equivalence with the first Daughter Directive requirements. UK monitors will therefore be upgraded over the next couple of years.
Further Information:
- Data Tables:
- Estimated emissions of PM10 by UNECE source category, type of fuel and end user: 1970-2006 XLS
- 12 Concentrations of particulates (PM10) and exceedances against the Air Quality Strategy and UK criteria at national monitoring network sites: 2006 XLS
- Chart 8 PM10 fixed 24 hour mean: Number of periods exceeding 50µg/m³ compared with health objective for 2004: 1992-2006 XLS
- Chart 9 PM10 annual mean: Comparison with health objective for 2004: 1992-2006 XLS
- References, further reading and links to other resources:
- [51] Measurement on Which to Base a Standard, Discussion Document, TSO. Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Welsh Assembly Government; Scottish Executive; Department of Environment for Northern Ireland. (2006) UK Equivalence Programme for Monitoring of Particulate Matter.
- Internet Links:
- UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI)
- National Air Quality Information Archive
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Page last modified: 3 March 2008
Page published: 30 March 2006