The Air Quality Limit Values (Scotland) Regulations 2001

PART ISULPHUR DIOXIDE

Limit values for sulphur dioxide

1.1  

Averaging PeriodLimit valueMargin of Tolerance(1)Date by which limit value is to be met

1.  Hourly limit value for the protection of human health

1 hour350 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 24 times a calendar year470 μg/m3 on 19th July 2001 reducing on 1st January of each following year by 30 μg/m3 to reach 350 μg/m3 by 1st January 20051st January 2005

2.  Daily limit value for the protection of human health

24 hours125 μg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a calendar yearNone1st January 2005

3.  Limit value for the protection of ecosystems

Calendar year and winter (1st October to 31st March)20 μg/m3None19th July 2001

Alert threshold for sulphur dioxide

1.2  500 μg/m3 measured over three consecutive hours at locations representative of air quality over at least 100 km2 or an entire zone or agglomeration, whichever is the smaller.

Minimum Details to be made available to the public when the alert threshold for sulphur dioxide is exceeded

1.3  Details to be made available to the public should include at least:

  • the date, hour and place of the occurrence and the reasons for the occurrence, where known;

  • any forecasts of:

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

    • the geographical area concerned,

    • the duration of the occurrence,

    • the type of population potentially sensitive to the occurrence,

    • the precautions to be taken by the sensitive population concerned.

(1)

The figures for Margins of Tolerance for each of the relevant pollutants given in this Schedule are calculated from those given in Annex I of Directive 99/30/EC (O.J. No. L 163, 22.4.99, p.41). This gave a figure above the limit value for each relevant pollutant, reducing by equal percentages from the date of entry into force of that Directive in 1999.