WRITTEN QUESTION E-3138/03 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Atmospheric pollution in Thessaloniki.
Date: 2003-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, action programme, air quality, degree of pollution, environmental monitoring, pollution control

C 78 E/470

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

United Kingdom authorities. The latest information at the Commission’s disposal would suggest that the
United Kingdom authorities are currently evaluating the situation with regard to the permit of the
receiving company.

Finally, should the end-of life ships be intended for disposal, Council Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 provides
that the Community only imports the waste concerned if the exporting country does not have the capacity
to treat the waste itself.

(2004/C 78 E/0494)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3138/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Atmospheric pollution in Thessaloniki

According to information recently published by the Greek Ministry for the Environment, Regional
Planning and Public Works, levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur monoxide were detected in certain parts
of Thessaloniki during the past year which exceeded permitted levels on 111 and 105 days, two and a half
times the limits set by the EU.

What concrete measures has Greece announced and what concrete steps has it taken up to now in cases
where alert thresholds are exceeded, given that, under Articles 4 and 10 of Directives 1999/30/EC (1)
(relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and
lead in ambient air) and 96/62/EC (2) (on ambient air quality assessment and management), the Member
States are required to draw up a plan of action where the alert thresholds are exceeded and to inform the
Commission thereof, and to draw up a list of minimum details to be supplied to the public together with
the alert thresholds?

(1) OJ L 163, 29.6.1999, p. 41.
(2) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996, p. 55.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2003)

Article 10 of Council Directive 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and
management requires Member States to forward to the Commission basic information concerning the
levels recorded and the duration of the episode(s) of pollution no later than three months following their
occurrence. The first Daughter Directive on air quality 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 defines alert thresholds for sulphur dioxide (SO2) (500 microgrammes per cubic metre
(400 µg/m3), based on hourly averages, measured over three
(µg/m3)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
consecutive hours. No such reports on exceeding these threshold concentrations were sent
to the
Commission by Greece in the year 2002.

It is supposed that the concentration levels mentioned, exceeded on 111 and 115 days, refer to limit
values set by Directive 1999/30/EC. As part of the annual report, Member States are obliged to report
individual cases of excess but only regarding the level of limit value plus a defined margin of tolerance
(which decreases yearly reaching zero at the attainment date, which is 2010 for NO2 and 2005 for other
components regulated by Directive 1999/30/EC).

No exceeding of limit value plus margin of tolerance for SO2 and NO2 was reported by Greece for 2002.
This does not rule out possible exceeding of limit values themselves. Limit values become legally binding at
the attainment dates.