This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tough new targets for cutting air pollution
12/06/2002
Tough new targets for cutting air pollution in Scotland were outlined today.
The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 tighten objectives for three of the eight pollutants outlined in the Air Quality Strategy - benzene, carbon monoxide and particles.
The new benzene and particles objectives are long term - to be achieved by the end of 2010 - and supplement the current objectives to be achieved by the end of 2003 and 2004.
The new objective for carbon monoxide replaces the current one, to be achieved by the end of 2003.
Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development Allan Wilson said:
"Air quality in Scotland is generally good. We have seen significant reductions in air pollution levels in recent years as new policy measures to reduce emissions from industry and transport take effect.
"But the latest advice from our health experts shows that the long term effects of particle air pollution continue to have an effect on the health of vulnerable individuals. The tough new targets which come into effect today represent a significant strengthening of our air quality targets for particles and other air pollutants. They will make an important contribution to the Executive's efforts to improve the environment of Scotland and the health of its people."
A summary sheet of the air quality proposals are available from 0131 244 2975.
The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, originally published in 1997, was revised in 2000. The Strategy sets out objectives for eight pollutants of particular concern for human health and target dates for achieving them.
In September 2001 the Scottish Executive, together with DEFRA and the other devolved administrations, published a consultation paper proposing tighter objectives for benzene, carbon monoxide and particles, and a new objective for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These proposals were the same throughout the UK except for particles, where a tougher particles objective was proposed for Scotland than elsewhere, because air quality is generally better here than in other parts of the UK. A less stringent objective was proposed for London for the opposite reason.
The consultation finished in December. 26 responses were received in Scotland and the overall message was one of support for the proposals. On this basis the Executive is now introducing these new objectives, with the exception of PAHs, through the Air Quality (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2002. The results of the consultation process are still being assessed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and in due course, separate arrangements will be made in those parts of the United Kingdom.
The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP) considers that, on the basis of studies in the US, a one microgramme per cubic metre drop in fine particle concentration could lead to a 0.007 to 4.1 million total gain in life years for the UK population alive in 2000. COMEAP takes the view that an estimate towards the lower end of the range (0.2-0.5 million years) is most likely. If everyone was equally susceptible, the life gain would be 1.5 to 3.5 days per person. However, susceptibility is likely to be much more variable - if for example 1 million people were affected the gain would be around 3 to 6.5 months per person. These potential gains are at least 10 times greater than those estimated to be achieved from reductions in short term (day to day) particle pollution.
At the core of the Strategy is a requirement for local authorities to review and assess air quality in their areas. Where this exercise shows that any of the objectives in the Strategy are unlikely to be met by the prescribed dates, the authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area and draw up an action plan outlining how they intend to work towards the objectives.