Assessment of ambient air quality

The Ambient Air Quality Directive requires the assessment of ambient air quality in Member States using common methods and criteria for air quality monitoring and modelling. This comprehensive assessment is required throughout the whole territory of each country.

The type of assessment methods used depends on the level of pollution, and these can go from fixed measurements to indicative measurements using sampling points, to the use of modelling applications or objective estimation techniques.

The assessment done at sampling points should be done in a way that is representative of other locations. Find out more about spatial representativeness.

When air quality monitoring is being used for air quality assessment, it is extremely important to appropriately site sampling points. This ensures monitoring information can be used to obtain further information on:

• Exposure of the population to air pollutants
• Source apportionment that supports the development of air policy
• Air pollution management in the area

Page contents:

• Key provisions
• Guidance and technical support documents
• Air quality modelling
• Reference air quality measurement methods
• Objective estimation of air quality