Air Pollution Act, 1987

Air quality standards.

50.—(1) The Minister may, for the purposes of this Act, by regulations specify standards (in this Act referred to as “air quality standards”) and different air quality standards may be specified for different areas or classes of areas, different circumstances or classes of circumstances or for different periods of time.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (1), regulations under this section may make provision for all or any of the following matters—

(a) relate an air quality standard to a particular pollutant or to a combination of pollutants;

(b) express an air quality standard as a concentration in the air, or as a mass depositing on a specified area, of the particular pollutant or combination of pollutants which is not to be exceeded for specified periods and under specified conditions;

(c) provide that the Minister may suspend, relax or modify an air quality standard for such period and in such circumstances as may be specified either generally or in relation to a particular area.

(3) Where it appears as a result of monitoring carried out under section 54 , or otherwise, that an air quality standard is being, or is likely to be, exceeded in any part of their functional area, a local authority shall—

(a) include in any air quality management plan prepared by them such objectives as the local authority consider appropriate for the improvement of the quality of the air and for the prevention or limitation of air pollution in the affected area so that within such period as the local authority consider reasonable, or such period as the Minister may direct, the air quality standard will not be exceeded, and

(b) take such other steps as may be appropriate in discharge of their functions under this Act to secure compliance with the air quality standard.