12 EU States exceed air pollutant limits

摘要

One or more of the emission limits set by the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive were exceeded by 12 Member States, in some instances by significant amounts, according to data for 2010 reported to the European Environment Agency. For the first time, preliminary data recently reported to the Agency by Member States allow a comparison with the legally binding emission limits for 2010 set in the NEC Directive. This covers four main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO_2), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH_3). These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, contribute to the acidification of soil and surface water, and damage vegetation. The ceilings set in the NEC Directive were designed to reduce such adverse impacts by an agreed amount.