Regulation 6 Assessment criteria

The Secretary of State must assess the level of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air in all zones.

In all zones where the level of those pollutants exceeds the upper assessment threshold referred to in regulation 5, fixed measurements must be used, but may be supplemented by modelling or indicative measurements or both in order to provide adequate information on the spatial distribution of the ambient air quality.

In all zones where the level of those pollutants is below the lower assessment threshold referred to in regulation 5, modelling or estimation techniques or both may be used instead of measurement.

In all other zones a combination of fixed measurements together with modelling or indicative measurements or both may be used.

In addition to the measurements referred to in paragraphs (1) to (4), the Secretary of State must measure PM_2.5 at rural background locations away from significant sources of air pollution, in order to provide information on an annual average basis on the total mass concentration and chemical speciation concentrations of that pollutant.

For the purposes of paragraphs (1) to (4), measurements must be carried out in accordance with the criteria set out in sections A and C of Annex I to Directive 2008/50/EC, and for the purposes of paragraph (5), measurements must be carried out in accordance with the criteria set out in Annex IV to the same Directive.

Save as provided for in paragraph (8), measurements for the purposes of this regulation must be taken in accordance with the reference measurement methods specified in Section A and Section C of Annex VI to Directive 2008/50/EC.

Alternative methods to those referred to in paragraph (7) may be used provided the conditions set out in Section B of that Annex are complied with.

Where measurements are supplemented by modelling or indicative measurement then the Secretary of State must take account of the results of those supplementary methods in assessing ambient air quality for the purposes of these Regulations.

In this Regulation, “chemical speciation concentrations” means the concentrations of different chemical components or species of PM_2.5.