Table of Contents
In April 2024, the European Union adopted a new directive aimed at improving air quality across Europe. This directive introduces additional sampling points for unregulated air pollutants of emerging concern, including Black Carbon (BC).
These steps, recommended by the WHO, will help us better understand the emerging pollutants’ health and environmental impacts.
The new plan to make the air cleaner will help the environment and our health.
Black Carbon are tiny particles that come from burning wood or fossil fuels, like diesel. Even though it doesn’t stay in the air for long, it quickly warms the Earth.
Black carbon is also the leading environmental cause of poor health and premature deaths. These toxic particles are many times smaller than a grain of table salt, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
Article 10 is about setting up special sites in urban and rural areas to monitor air quality. It explains how many of these sites we need and where they should be placed. These sites, called monitoring supersites, gather long-term data on different air pollutants.
At these monitoring supersites, the following measurements must be taken:
The Directive defines “black carbon” (BC) as equivalent black carbon (eBC) derived from optical methods.
These steps will help us keep track of air quality and learn more about pollutants that might harm our health and the environment.
Our advanced monitoring solutions are ready to help meet these new standards, ensuring cleaner air and a healthier environment. Learn more by consulting our newest Black Carbon instruments: Aethalometer AE36 and AE36s.
While the bureaucratic process will take time and the implementation may be slow, this directive marks a significant step forward in air quality management.
Sources:
Ana Mohar, marketing specialist
E-mail: amohar@aerosolmageesci.com
Follow the news about our work and research. Please meet us at events worldwide and talk to our experts about your topics of interest.