WRITTEN QUESTION P-4131/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Atmospheric pollution in Athens

According to the latest report by the Environment Directorate of the Ministry for the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works in Greece, ozone levels in the Athens area were above the permissible limits for a total of 75 days between April and October 2000.

1. What data does the Commission have available on this specific matter (ozone levels) and, in more general terms, on atmospheric pollution in the Athens area?

2. What are the apparent problems in Athens with atmospheric pollution from the point of view of compliance with Community legislation?

3. In the Commission's estimation, what are the possible implications for public health?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2001)

Monitoring data on atmospheric pollution are regularly forwarded by Greece under the 97/101/EC Council Decision of 27 January 1997 establishing a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution within the Member States(1).

Additional data from short term campaigns and air quality modelling are also available to the Commission. Concerning sulphur emissions (SO2), suspended particles, lead and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) the current limit values as set out in Council Directive 80/779/EEC of 15 July 1980 on air quality limit values and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates(2), Council Directive 82/884/EEC of 3 December 1982 on a limit value for lead in the air(3) and Council Directive 85/203/EEC of 7 March 1985 on air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide(4), respectively, are not exceeded.

Legally non-binding threshold values for ozone are laid down in Council Directive 92/72/EEC of 21 September 1992 on air pollution by ozone(5). The Commission is aware that these thresholds are frequently exceeded in the Greater Athens area. Exceedence of an ozone concentration of 120 µg/m3 may lead to respiratory problems of particularly sensitive population groups. The general population was found to experience such adverse effects from ozone concentrations of more than 240 µg/m3. According to current scientific knowledge adverse health effects due to SO2, NO2, particulate matter and lead may already occur if the current limit values are not exceeded.

The latest Community legislation, Council Directive 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and management(6), i.e. the Air Quality Framework Directive, as well as existing (Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air(7), Directive 2000/69/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2000 relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air(8)) and upcoming daughter Directives, will improve the protection of human health by setting more stringent limit and target values. Corresponding monitoring requirements will provide the public and the Commission with better information on air quality. From studies performed under the Autoil II programme it is to be expected that additional, and in particular local measures will be necessary to meet these objectives in the Athens area.

(1) OJ L 35, 5.2.1997.

(2) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.

(3) OJ L 378, 31.12.1982.

(4) OJ L 87, 27.3.1985.

(5) OJ L 297, 13.10.1992.

(6) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.

(7) OJ L 163, 29.6.1999.

(8) OJ L 313, 13.12.2000.