http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2000/97/scheduleThe Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000Air pollutionSulphur dioxideENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONStatute Law Database2026-08-26Expert Participation2016-04-01 Part 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. SCHEDULEAIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES TABLERegulations 2(2), 3 and 4
Column 1Column 2Column 3
SubstanceAir Quality ObjectivesPrescribed Date
1Benzene16.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as running annual mean31st December 2003
1A Benzene3.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a running annual mean31st December 2010
21,3-Butadiene2.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a running annual mean31st December 2003
3Carbon monoxide 10 milligrams per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a running 8 hour mean31st December 2003
4Lead0.5 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean31st December 2004
5Lead0.25 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean31st December 2008
6Nitrogen dioxide200 micrograms per cubic metre, when expressed as an hourly mean, not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year31st December 2005
7Nitrogen dioxide40 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean31st December 2005
7APM2.510 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean31st December 2020
8PM1050 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a 24 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year31st December 2004
8A PM1050 micrograms per cubic metre or less when expressed as a 24 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 7 times a year31st December 2010
9PM1040 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean31st December 2004
9A PM1018 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an annual mean31st December 2010
10Sulphur dioxide350 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as an hourly mean, not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year31st December 2004
11Sulphur dioxide125 micrograms per cubic metre or less, when expressed as a 24 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year31st December 2004
12Sulphur dioxide266 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.21A 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.2For the purpose of the calculation of a running annual mean, the hourly level for a particular substance at a particular location is either–athe 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; orbthe 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.3A 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.41Subject 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.2The annual mean for a particular substance at a particular location for a particular calendar year is–ain the case of lead, the mean of the daily levels for that year;bin the case of nitrogen dioxide, the mean of the hourly means for that year;cin the case of PM10, the mean of the 24 hour means for that year.3For 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).4For 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.5An 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.6A 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.7A 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.8The 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.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 (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)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)