II.3 Limit values in the Czech Republic valid for the year 2005

Air quality assessment is based on the fundamental legislative document, and namely the Clean Air Act No. 86/2002 Coll., as amended. The detailed guidelines are specified in the Government Order No. 350/2002 Coll., as amended, setting forth limit values and procedures of monitoring, assessment, evaluation and management of air quality. The Czech legislation reflects the requirements of the European Union set by the ambient air quality directives, i.e. by the Framework Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management and by the respective Daughter Directives 1999/30/EC (for pro SO₂, NO₂ and NO_x, suspended particles and lead), 2000/69/EC (for benzene and CO), 2002/3/EC (for ground-level ozone) and 2004/107/EC (for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).

In 2005 the Government Order No. 350/2002 Coll. was amended and air pollution limit values for mercury and ammonia were abrogated. These limit values were not based on the limits set by the European Union.

For the pollutants which are to be monitored and assessed as substances manifesting evident harmful effects on the health of the population, the national legislation have set the air pollution limit values, margins of tolerance, target air pollution limit values and long-term air pollution targets, and deposition limit value. Moreover, the legislation sets the limit values for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation.

1. Air pollution limit values and margins of tolerance are set for the following pollutants:
   a) sulphur dioxide
   b) suspended particles – PM₁₀ fraction
   c) nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides
   d) lead
   e) carbon monoxide
   f) benzene
   g) cadmium
   h) arsenic
   i) nickel
   j) benzo(a)pyrene (indicator of air pollution caused by PAH).
    
2. Target air pollution limit values and long-term air pollution targets are set for the ground-level ozone.
3. Deposition limit value is set for dustfall, the level of which is considered when it is necessary to determine the current air pollution.
4. For SO₂, NO_x and ozone, apart from air pollution limit values and long-term air pollution targets for the protection of human health also the values of air pollution limits and long-term air pollution targets for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation are set.

Air pollution limit values for the protection of health

Target air pollution limit values and long-term air pollution targets for the protection of health

Air pollution limit values for the protection of ecosystems