II.3 Limit values in the Czech Republic valid for the year 2012

Air quality assessment in the Czech Republic for the year 2012 is based on the fundamental legislative document – the Act No. 201/2012 Coll. on Clean Air Protection which newly defines also the zones and agglomerations for ambient air quality assessment (Fig. II 3.1). The detailed guidelines are specified in the Decree No. 330/2012 Coll. on the method of assessment and evaluation of ambient air pollution level, on the extent of informing the public on the level of ambient air pollution and during smog situations.

The Act No. 201/2012 Coll. on Clean Air Protection came into force on 1 September 2012 and the Decree No. 330/2012 Coll. on the method of assessment and evaluation of ambient air pollution level, on the extent of informing the public on the level of ambient air pollution and during smog situations came into force on 15 October 2012. By the adoption of the new Act the previous Clean Air Act No. 86/2006 Coll. and the Government Order No. 42/2011 amending the Government Order No. 597/2006 on monitoring and evaluating the quality of the air were cancelled.

The Czech legislation reflects the requirements of the European Union set by the ambient air quality directives. In May 2008 the European Parliament adopted the Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe which integrates the Directive 96/62/EC with the first three daughter directives and with the Council Decision 97/101/EC establishing a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution within the Member States. The Directive 2004/107/EC relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air (Fourth Daugter Directive) has also been implemented into the Czech legislation.

For the pollutants which are to be monitored and assessed as substances manifesting evident harmful effects on the health of the population the limit values have been set. Moreover, the legislation sets the limit values for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation.

1. Limit values for the protection of human health are set for the following pollutants:
   sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 fraction particles, lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, benzo(a)pyrene (indicator of air pollution caused by PAH), ground-level ozone.

2. Limit values for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation are set for the following pollutants:
   sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone (AOT40).

Tab. - Limit values (LV) for the protection of health

Tab. - Limit values (LV) for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation
 

Fig. II.3.1 The zones and agglomerations for ambient air quality assessment and evaluation of ambient air pollution level according to the Act No. 201/2012 Coll. on Clean Air Protectio