Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

ANNEX XVI PUBLIC INFORMATION

1. Member States shall ensure that up-to-date information on ambient concentrations of the pollutants covered by this Directive is routinely made available to the public.

2. Ambient concentrations provided shall be presented as average values according to the appropriate averaging period as laid down in Annex VII and Annexes XI to XIV. The information shall at least indicate any levels exceeding air quality objectives including limit values, target values, alert thresholds, information thresholds or long term objectives of the regulated pollutant. It shall also provide a short assessment in relation to the air quality objectives and appropriate information regarding effects on health, or, where appropriate, vegetation.

3. Information on ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (at least PM₁₀), ozone and carbon monoxide shall be updated on at least a daily basis, and, wherever practicable, information shall be updated on an hourly basis. Information on ambient concentrations of lead and benzene, presented as an average value for the last 12 months, shall be updated on a three-monthly basis, and on a monthly basis, wherever practicable.

4. Member States shall ensure that timely information about actual or predicted exceedances of alert thresholds, and any information threshold is provided to the public. Details supplied shall include at least the following information:

(a)

information on observed exceedance(s):

• location or area of the exceedance,

• type of threshold exceeded (information or alert),

• start time and duration of the exceedance,

• highest one hour concentration and in addition highest eight hour mean concentration in the case of ozone;

(b)

forecast for the following afternoon/day(s):

• geographical area of expected exceedances of information and/or alert threshold,

• expected changes in pollution (improvement, stabilisation or deterioration), together with the reasons for those changes;

(c)

information on the type of population concerned, possible health effects and recommended behaviour:

• information on population groups at risk,

• description of likely symptoms,

• recommended precautions to be taken by the population concerned,

• where to find further information;

(d)

information on preventive action to reduce pollution and/or exposure to it: indication of main source sectors; recommendations for action to reduce emissions;

(e)

in the case of predicted exceedances, Member State shall take steps to ensure that such details are supplied to the extent practicable.