Linda DaviesCentre for Environmental Policy

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Proposal for a European Standard for monitoring air quality

German VDI and French AFNOR each recommended four different

methodologies already in use in their respective countries

BSI agreed to support the development of the standards through the

Ambient Atmospheres Committee (E/H/2/3).

Secretariat provided by NPL

Two working groups established in 2007

Three year plan: elaborate pre-draft and submit to Formal Vote

Widely circulated for consultation via national standards institutes

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Working Group WG30:

Lolium multiflorum (rye grass) for the detection of

metals, sulphur and selenium, persistent organics

Led by German VDI

Follows progress made by Eurobionet

Combines drafts from French and Germans

Pots of rye grass exposed for a defined growing period , harvested

and analysed for concentration of various pollutants, repeated

throughout growing season

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The methodology should be considered in relation to both temporal and spatial scales.

Monitoring with grass cultures is more efficient than deposition gauges for mercury and fluoride only.

For other pollutants deposition gauges are a more accurate and precise form of monitoring although they do not demonstrate long-term accumulation (but neither does monthly grass sampling only in situ sampling)

Monitoring with grasses is important for human health in relation to pollutant accumulation in the food chain.

Monitoring with grasses is important in relation to animal feed. It is preferable to monitor under conditions as close to nature

as possible in relation to accumulation in food. Therefore the Belgian method of monitoring is ground based using large containers.

Most other countries use pots on stands of a fixed height and diameter thought to best capture particles and be most effective alert system after which more sophisticated monitoring can be commissioned

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Standard cultures of N.tabaccum Bel W3 and Bel B

Expose young cultivars in pots at standard height

6 pots per exposure, shaded from direct sunlight

Calculate the degree of injury on x leaves per exposure

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Follows UNECE methodology Suitable for suite of metals and

persistent organics Number of samples will depend on the

purpose of the assessment Species choice but consistency

required Analysis of dried material Seasonal variations so defined

collection periods6

Led by Italians Methodology for surveys close to completion Many areas of disagreement within the

group Academic versus practical application Relationship between lichens or lichen

communities and air pollution more diffcult so two stage approach under consideration

Research programme for lichen physiology agreed

Cost Action outline proposal submitted Oct 09

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Bromley

Barnet

Havering

Enfield

Hillingdon

Croydon

Bexley

Ealing

Brent

Harrow

Sutton

Hounslow

Richmond

Redbridge

Merton

Barking

Greenwich

Kingston

Newham

Lewisham

Haringey

Wandsworth

Camden

LambethSouthwark

Waltham Forest

Hackney

WestminsterTower Hamlets

Hammersmith

Islington park

KensingtonCity

1970

LICHENS

0 - 1

2

3 - 4

5 - 7

EXCLUDED

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Bromley

Barnet

Havering

Enfield

Hillingdon

Croydon

Bexley

Ealing

Brent

Harrow

Sutton

Hounslow

Richmond

Redbridge

Merton

Barking

Greenwich

Kingston

Newham

Lewisham

Haringey

Wandsworth

Camden

LambethSouthwark

Waltham Forest

Hackney

WestminsterTower Hamlets

Hammersmith

Islington park

KensingtonCity

2004

LICHENS

8-14

15-23

24-35

36-47

EXCLUDED

Higher diversity in many of the inner London boroughs than in the suburbs

More information available on:

www.cen.eu/

Contact me if you want to receive draft methodologies

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Pre amble in all Standards on role of biomonitoring in EU regulation:

6th Environmental Action Programme IPPC: Application for permits and

condition of permits :Effects based approach

Air Quality Framework DirectiveCAFEHabitats Directive

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