Inorganic gases (SO2, NO, NO2, CO, O3)
The Directive 2008/50/EC and its last amendments 2015/1480/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe sets a framework for a harmonised air quality assessment in Europe.
One important objective of the Directive is that the ambient air quality shall be assessed on the basis of common methods and criteria. It deals with the air pollutants sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen monoxide (NO), particulate matter, lead, benzene, carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3). Among others it specifies the reference methods for measurements and Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) for the accuracy of measurements.
The European Commission (EC) has supported the development and publication of reference measurement methods for CO, SO2, NO-NO2 and O3 as European standards. Appropriate calibration methods, have been standardised by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
As foreseen in the Air Quality Directive, the European Reference Laboratory of Air Pollution (ERLAP) of the Directorate for Energy, Mobility and Climate at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) organises Proficiency Tests (PT) to assess and improve the status of comparability of measurements of National Reference Laboratories (NRL) of the Member States of the European Union.
The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Air Quality Management and Air Pollution Control, Berlin (WHO CC) is carrying out similar activities since 1994 but with a view to obtaining harmonised air quality data for health related studies. Their programme integrates within the WHO EURO region, which includes public health institutes and other national institutes - especially from the Central Eastern Europe, Caucasus and countries from Central Asia.
Starting in 2004, it has been decided to bring together the efforts of both the JRC-ERLAP and WHO CC and to coordinate activities as far as possible, with a view to optimise resources and improve international harmonisation.
