On air quality in the EU 

The petitioner denounces the inadequacy and inherent contradictions of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air. He claims that the limit value of 40 µg/m3 of particulate matter (PM10) per calendar year, associated with a concentration level of 20-32 µg/m3 of fine particulate matter (PM2,5), is responsible for thousands of premature deaths annually only in Budapest. Furthermore he states that the PM10 limit values ignore the relevant WHO standards and guidelines, in contradiction to Recital 2 of the Directive and questions the possibility to exceed the upper daily threshold 35 times a year. Finally, he alleges that the limit values do not comply with the provisions on air quality standards and national emission ceilings of the Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Community 2002-2012.