ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Citation and commencement 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Definitions and interpretation 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Duty to ensure that ambient air quality is improved 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessment of ambient air quality 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classification of zones 5 1 The Department shall classify each zone in relation to each of the relevant pollutants according to whether ambient air quality in that zone for that pollutant is required to be assessed by— a measurements; b a combination of measurements and modelling techniques; or c by the sole use of modelling or objective estimation techniques. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Review of classifications 6 1 The Department shall review the classification of each zone under regulation 5 at least once in every five years in accordance with Part II of Schedule 2. 2 The Department shall also review the classification of any zone under regulation 5 in the event of significant changes in activities affecting ambient concentrations in the zone of any of the relevant pollutants. Method of assessment of ambient air quality 7 1 The Department shall ensure that ambient air quality is assessed in each zone by following the specified method for each relevant pollutant in accordance with its current classification. 2 Where a zone is classified under regulation 5(1)( a ) or ( b ) in relation to a relevant pollutant— a measurements of that pollutant must be taken at fixed sites either continuously or by random sampling; and b the number of measurements must be sufficiently large to enable the levels of that pollutant to be properly determined. 3 Schedule 3 shall have effect for the purposes of determining the location of sampling points for the relevant pollutants. 4 For each zone classified under regulation 5(1)( a ) the Department shall ensure that, in respect of a relevant pollutant, the minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurement of concentrations determined in accordance with Schedule 4 is used for sampling the concentrations of that pollutant in that zone. 5 For each zone classified under regulation 5(1)( b ) the Department shall ensure that, in respect of a relevant pollutant, the number of sampling points for fixed measurement of that pollutant in that zone, and the spatial resolution of other techniques, shall be sufficient for the concentrations of that pollutant to be established in accordance with Part I of Schedule 3 and Part I of Schedule 5. 6 Reference methods for— a the analysis of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen; b the sampling and analysis of lead; and c the sampling and measurement of PM 10 are set out in Schedule 6 and these methods must be used unless other methods are used which the Department considers can be demonstrated to give equivalent results or, in relation to the sampling and measurement of PM 10 , which the Department considers can be demonstrated to display a consistent relationship to the reference method. . 7 The Department shall ensure that— a measuring stations to supply representative data on concentrations of PM 2.5 are installed and operated using the method for the sampling and measurement of PM 2.5 that it considers suitable; and b sampling points for PM 2.5 are, where possible, co-located with sampling points for PM 10 . 8 For zones which are classified under regulation 5(1)( b ) or ( c ), the Department shall ensure that the information set out in Part II of Schedule 5 is compiled. 9 For sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen the volume must be standardised at a temperature of 293°K and a pressure of 101,3 kPa. Action plans 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Action to be taken where limit values are exceeded 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zones where the levels are lower than the limit value 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public information 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Revocation of Air Quality Standards Regulations ( NI ) 1990 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 8th March 2002. Dermot Nesbitt Minister of the Environment