Legislative background to air pollution

There is a range of EU legislation dealing with air pollution. They include the Waste Management Directives and the following:

• Directive 96/62/EC is the framework Directive for assessing and managing air quality. It provides for subsequent agreement on detailed emission limits for specific air pollutants. Directive 1999/30/EC sets limits for a number of pollutants
• Directive 2000/69/EC sets limits for benzene and carbon monoxide in the air
• Directive 2001/81/EC aims to reduce air pollution by setting national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants that must be met by member states by 2010
• Directive 89/369/EEC on the prevention of air pollution from new municipal waste incineration plants
• Directive 2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants aims to reduce air pollution from larger power plants by setting limits on sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions
• Directive 89/369/EEC 1989 deals on the prevention of air pollution from new municipal waste incineration plants
• Regulation 2037/2000 deals with substances that deplete the ozone layer
• Regulation 2037/2000, Regulation 29/06/2000, on substances that deplete the ozone layer requires member states to supply information on measures taken to promote the recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction of controlled substances such as CFCs (chloroflourocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbon), halons and methyl bromide. Member states must also provide information on what has been done to make organisations and users responsible for carrying out these activities. They must show what steps have been taken to prevent the leaking of controlled substances and to minimise the leaking of methyl bromide.

Irish legislation

The main laws dealing with air pollution in Ireland are the Air Pollution Act 1987 and the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. There is also a range of statutory instruments including the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 271 of 2002). Air pollution in Ireland is monitored by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and your local authority. The Air Pollution Act 1987 obliges your local authority to take whatever measures it considers necessary to prevent or limit air pollution in its area. Air pollution licences must be obtained from your local authority or the EPA by the owners of industrial plants in order to operate certain activities responsible for emissions.