II.3 Limit values in the Czech Republic valid for the year 2006

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. 597/2006 Coll. on air quality monitoring and evaluation. 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 NOx, 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).

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 limit values, margins of tolerance, target values and long-term objectives. Moreover, the legislation sets the limit values for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation.

1. Limit values and margins of tolerance for the protection of human health are set for the following pollutants:
   sulphur dioxide,
   PM₁₀ fraction particles,
   nitrogen dioxide,
   lead,
   carbon monoxide,
   benzene.
    
2. Target values for the protection of human health are set for the following pollutants:
   cadmium,
   arsenic,
   nickel,
   benzo(a)pyrene (indicator of air pollution caused by PAH),
   ground-level ozone.
    
3. Limit values for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation are set for the following pollutants:
   sulphur dioxide,
   nitrogen oxides,
   ground-level ozone (AOT40).

Limit values (LV) for the protection of health

Target air values (TV) values and long-term objectives for the protection of health

Limit values (LV) for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation
Target value and long-term objective for the protection of ecosystems