Watching the World U.K. air quality plan has hidden teeth

With David Knott from London [email protected] The U.K. Department of the Environment has published an air quality strategy, claimed to be the first of its kind in Europe, aimed at cutting levels of air pollution in line with World Health Organization standards. A department official said the most important part of the strategy is its proposed maximum pollutant levels, averaged out for various periods ranging from 15 min to a year, to be met by 2005.

Sept. 2, 1996

3 min read

The U.K. Department of the Environment has published an air quality strategy, claimed to be the first of its kind in Europe, aimed at cutting levels of air pollution in line with World Health Organization standards.

A department official said the most important part of the strategy is its proposed maximum pollutant levels, averaged out for various periods ranging from 15 min to a year, to be met by 2005.

Target maximums are: benzene 5 ppb; 1,3 butadiene 1 ppb; carbon monoxide 10 ppm; lead 0.5 mcg/cu m; nitrogen dioxide 104.6 ppb 1 hour mean, 20 ppb annual mean; ozone 50 ppb; particulates 50 mcg/cu m; and sulfur dioxide 100 ppb.

Environment Sec. John Gummer warned,"For some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, benzene, 1,3 butadiene, and lead, current policies are already well on the way to meeting the strategy's targets.

"For others, such as nitrogen dioxide, particulates, ozone, and sulfur dioxide, current policies are unlikely to be enough to meet the targets. We will therefore need additional measures."

'Hotspots' targeted

Much of the strategy is expected to be implemented through local authorities, with one of the targets to clear up "pollution hotspots," for instance, in inner cities.

The Department of Environment official said that as of Apr. 1, 1997 local authorities will have a statutory duty to assess air quality and act if standards are not met.

The government intends to publish later this year guidance for local authorities. The department is currently canvassing local authorities to find out what powers they will need to enforce the strategy.

"The thing about the 1995 Environment Act," said the official, "is that it gives central government powers to make new regulations to allow local authorities to restrict road traffic, for example."

Among potential weapons of local authorities could be closure of main roads at times of unacceptably high pollution, and the power to fine violators of the pollution code.

"Funding is under consideration too," said the official, "though we can't put a number on it at the moment. This is intended to be settled in local authority budget allocations later this year."

Funding issues

U.K. petroleum refiners and retailers are concerned about government provision of resources to local authorities but say local implementation is the right approach, provided it is consistent and cost-effective.

Michael Frend, director-general of U.K. Petroleum Industry Association, said, "Many air quality problems can be solved on a local basis, and where they cannot, European Commission standards come into play.

"We like the way the department is considering cost-effectiveness of air quality rather than just best available technology (BAT). We think this will lead to BAT bearing in mind the costs."

Whatever technology is chosen, air quality improvements will not come cheaply. Frend reckons required changes in fuel composition will cost U.K. refiners £150 million/year ($225 million/year) the next 15 years.