Ambient Air Quality Standards Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 739/2022)

These Regulations, for the purpose of giving effect to Council Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008: establish limit values and, as appropriate, alert thresholds for concentrations of certain pollutants in ambient air intended to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment as a whole; provide for the assessment of concentrations of certain pollutants in ambient air on the basis of methods and criteria common to the Member States of the European Communities; provide for the obtaining of adequate information on concentrations of certain pollutants in ambient air and ensure that it is made available to the public; and provide for the maintenance of ambient air quality where it is good and the improvement of ambient air quality in other cases with respect to certain pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency (the Agency) is the competent authority responsible for assessing ambient air quality in the State; approving ambient air quality measuring devices; ensuring the accuracy of the measurement; analysis of assessment methods; co-ordination and co-operation.
Assessment carried out by the Agency could be Assessment of ambient air quality in relation to sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene and carbon monoxide or in relation to oxone; the regulations provide with assessment criteria, sampling method, reference measures, etc. Ambient Air Quality Management chapter includes requirements where levels are lower than the limit values, limit Values and alert thresholds, etc. Where, in given zones or agglomerations, the levels of pollutants in ambient air exceed any limit value or target value, plus any relevant margin of tolerance in each case, the Agency shall ensure that air quality plans are established; in the event of an alert threshold, limit value or target value plus any relevant margin of tolerance or long-term objective being exceeded due to significant transboundary transport of air pollution or their precursors either within the State; or in another Member State owing to transboundary transport of air pollution originating from within the State, the Agency shall notify the Minister and the relevant local authority, or local authorities as appropriate. Public information and reporting are also regulated.