RSUA has lodged a supportive response to a public consultation launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on proposals to strengthen Northern Ireland’s legal standards for particulate matter.
What is particulate matter?
Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. PM10 and PM2.5 are two pollutants closely linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Stronger air quality standards
DAERA’s proposals would reduce the annual PM10 limit value and objective from 40 to 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).
For PM2.5, the annual limit value would fall from 25 to 10 µg/m³, while the target value would be reduced from 25 to 8 µg/m³.
RSUA considers these changes to be a positive and necessary strengthening of Northern Ireland’s air quality framework.
Designing out air pollution
RSUA sees the consultation as an opportunity for DAERA to consider how stronger air quality standards can support wider approaches to preventing pollution at source.
The consultation identifies sources including domestic combustion, wood fuel use and transport as significant contributors to particulate matter.
RSUA believes that implementation of the new standards should therefore be accompanied by a broader discussion about how air pollution can be designed out through the built environment.
More information
RSUA’s full response can be accessed here.
If you have any questions or comments about our response, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk
