EU warns Romania over failure to comply with air quality rules

The European Commission is sending Romania a reasoned opinion under ongoing infringement proceedings for failing to comply with air quality limits for airborne particles known as PM10. Romania has two months to comply. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may refer the case to the EU Court of Justice.

At the same time, the EC is taking Belgium to court for failing to comply with EU air quality limit values for PM10. Belgium has so far failed to effectively tackle excess emissions of these particles in 8 zones across the country.

Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe requires member states to limit the exposure of citizens to the tiny particles known as PM10. The legislation sets limit values for exposure covering both an annual concentration value and a daily concentration value that must not be exceeded more than 35 times in a calendar year.

Since the legislation entered into force in 2005, the limit values for PM10 have not been respected in eight air quality zones in Belgium in the Brussels, Flanders and Walloon regions.

In Romania, 17 areas have been found to exceed PM10 limits. Romania applied for an exemption in 2010 for eleven of these 17 areas. After considering the exemption request, the Commission has concluded that the necessary conditions have not been met, and so a reasoned opinion is being sent to Romania for nine additional areas (the situation having improved in 2 of the regions concerned in the meantime).

Airborne particles are mainly present in pollutant emissions from industry, traffic and domestic heating. They can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death.