Sch. in force at 7.4.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Words in sch. Table inserted (12.6.2002) by The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/297), regs. 1(1), 2(4)(a)

Word in sch. Table substituted (12.6.2002) by The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/297), regs. 1(1), 2(4)(b)

Words in sch. Table inserted (1.4.2016) by The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/162), regs. 1, 2(4)

Words in sch. Table inserted (12.6.2002) by The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/297), regs. 1(1), 2(4)(c)

Words in sch. Table inserted (12.6.2002) by The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/297), regs. 1(1), 2(4)(d)

Sch. para. 1A inserted (1.4.2016) by The Air Quality (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/162), regs. 1, 2(5)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2000/97/scheduleThe Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000Air pollutionSulphur dioxideENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONStatute Law Database2026-08-26Expert Participation2016-04-01Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities in Scotland to conduct a review of the quality of air within their area. That review has to consider the air quality for the time being and the likely future air quality within the “relevant period” (a period to be prescribed by Regulations). Such reviews have to be accompanied by an assessment of whether any prescribed air quality standards or objectives are being achieved or are likely to be achieved within the relevant period.SCHEDULE

Regulations 2(2), 3 and 4

AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES TABLE

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Substance

Air Quality Objectives

Prescribed Date

1

Benzene

16.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as running annual mean

31st December 2003

1A

Benzene

3.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a running annual mean

31st December 2010

2

1,3-Butadiene

2.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a running annual mean

31st December 2003

3

Carbon monoxide

10 milligrams per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a running 8 hour mean

31st December 2003

4

Lead

0.5 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean

31st December 2004

5

Lead

0.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean

31st December 2008

6

Nitrogen dioxide

200 micrograms per cubic metre, when expressed as an hourly mean, not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year

31st December 2005

7

Nitrogen dioxide

40 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean

31st December 2005

7A

PM2.5

10 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean

31st December 2020

8

PM10

50 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a 24 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year

31st December 2004

8A

PM10

50 micrograms per cubic metre or less when expressed as a 24 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 7 times a year

31st December 2010

9

PM10

40 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean

31st December 2004

9A

PM10

18 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean

31st December 2010

10

Sulphur dioxide

350 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an hourly mean, not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year

31st December 2004

11

Sulphur dioxide

125 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a 24 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

31st December 2004

12

Sulphur dioxide

266 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a 15 minute mean, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year.

31st December 2005

Interpretation

For the purposes of this Schedule–

1.

“PM10” means particulate matter which passes through a size-selective inlet with 50% efficient cut-off at 10 μm aerodynamic diameter.

1A.

“PM2.5” means particulate matter which passes through a size-selective inlet with a 50% efficiency cut-off at 2.5μm aerodynamic diameter.

2.(1)

A running annual mean is a mean which is calculated on an hourly basis, yielding one running annual mean per hour and the running annual mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular hour is the mean of the hourly levels for that substance at that location for that hour and the preceding 8,759 hours.

(2)

For the purpose of the calculation of a running annual mean, the hourly level for a particular substance at a particular location is either–

(a)

the level at which that substance is recorded as being present in the air at that location during the hour on the basis of a continuous sample of air taken during that hour for at least 30 minutes; or

(b)

the mean of the levels recorded at that location on the basis of 2 or more samples of air taken during the hour for an aggregate period of at least 30 minutes.

3.

A running 8 hour mean is a mean which is calculated on an hourly basis, yielding one running 8 hour mean per hour and the running 8 hour mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular hour is the mean of the hourly means for that substance at that location for that hour and the preceding 7 hours.

4.(1)

Subject to sub paragraph (2) below, an annual mean is a mean which is calculated on a yearly basis, yielding one annual mean per calendar year.

(2)

The annual mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular calendar year is–

(a)

in the case of lead, the mean of the daily levels for that year;

(b)

in the case of nitrogen dioxide, the mean of the hourly means for that year;

(c)

in the case of PM10, the mean of the 24 hour means for that year.

(3)

For the purpose of the calculation of an annual mean for lead, the daily level for lead at a particular location for a particular day is the level at which lead is recorded as being present in the air at that location during the week in which the day occurs on the basis of a continuous sample of air taken throughout that week (each day in that week therefore being attributed with the same daily level).

(4)

For the purpose of sub paragraph (3) above, “week” means a complete week beginning on a Monday, except that it also includes any period of less than seven days from the beginning of the calendar year until the first Monday in that year or from the beginning of the last Monday in the calendar year to the end of that year.

5.

An hourly mean is a mean calculated every hour and the hourly mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular hour is the mean of the levels recorded, at a frequency of not less than once every 10 seconds, for that substance at that location during that hour.

6.

A 24 hour mean is a mean calculated every 24 hours and the 24 hour mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular 24 hour period is the level at which that substance is recorded as being present in the air at that location on the basis of a continuous sample of air taken throughout the period.

7.

A 15 minute mean is a mean calculated every 15 minutes and the 15 minute mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular 15 minute period is the mean of the levels recorded, at a frequency of not less than once every 10 seconds, for that substance at that location during that 15 minute period.

8.

The reference to a number of micrograms or milligrams per cubic metre of a substance is a reference to the number of micrograms or milligrams per cubic metre of that substance when measured with the volume standardised at a temperature of 293(K and at a pressure of 101.3 kilopascals.