AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS IN EUROPE AND IN ASIA: RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF LEGISLATION AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

Abstract:

By the end of last year the Council and the European Parliament reached a compromise on the new Air Quality Directive. Europe is nowadays expecting the formal approval and publication of the “Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe”. This Directive will replace the Air Quality Directives from1999 and include its three daughter Directives on separate air pollutants. The new Air Quality Directive aims at clarifying and simplifying the existing provisions on ambient air quality and at incorporating the latest scientific knowledge on effect of PM2,5 on human health. It will also take into consideration the need for flexibility for implementation of some air quality standards, considering the previous experiences of EU Member States. National air quality standards established in Europe, by the new Directive, and in Asia, with particular reference to China, will be compared to those suggested by the World Health Organization. This review presents the current state of understanding concerning main air pollution problems, both in Europe e in China, and identifies the future challenges to understanding and controlling air pollution in Europe and in China.