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EuroAirnet criteria
The criteria to be met by EuroAirnet are described in detail in the
The criteria to be met by EuroAirnet are described in detail in the
EEA Technical Report No. 12 (further referred
to as the criteria report). They cover the aspects of area and monitoring site selection, monitoring and data
reporting, and data quality for the three categories required, i.e. population exposure, materials exposure and
ecosystems.
Summary of the criteria as described in the report:
Population exposure Cities In each selected city, all monitoring stations (up to a maximum of 20) should be included. A good spatial distribution
of urban background stations is particularly important (sec. 4.1.1 of the criteria report), but there should be a balance
with traffic and industrial sites, where applicable. Rural areas
As a guide, 50% of the rural population should be covered.
Industrial areas outside cities Exposure of materials Exposure assessment sites should be representative in terms of local building techniques and materials used.
In rural areas, selected areas should also be representative of the range of climatic conditions occurring in
the country. It is suggested that >10% of large cities (>0.5 M) and >5% of industrial areas should have materials'
exposure assessment stations, and that three sites within a city might be selected; representing the highest background
pollution levels (possibly near the centre), a more average background site and a "traffic hot-spot" site. In industrial areas, two sites (representing high and medium levels of pollution) are suggested. Rural sites should
be sufficient to represent the different climatic conditions found within the country - i.e. one per climatic region. As explained in section 4.1.2 of the criteria report, there is an existing network of stations monitoring atmospheric
corrosion- weight loss of materials samples, air pollutants and relevant meteorological parameters. These are operated
under the UN/ECE Convention of Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP). Sites in this network may be suitable for
inclusion in EuroAirnet; the Technical Report recommends that further analysis of data from this network should be
undertaken, with a view to assessing whether the network should be extended. Ecosystems
Each country should develop its own plan for monitoring of areas of ecosystems, such that a representative picture
of exposure of ecosystems can be provided. This could include monitoring sites operated as part of the UN/ECE LRTAP
International Co-operative Programmes (ICPs), which cover fresh water, forests, agricultural crops and whole
ecosystems; alternatively, EMEP and/or GAW sites could be included.
Full details are provided in the criteria report, Table 4.4 which is reproduced below;
In the case of traffic monitoring sites, which are only intended to be representative of the near-kerbside
environment, definition in terms of length of road is more appropriate. Similarly, for industrial stations,
which monitor near specific sources, additional details including the source type, distance, and direction
are required.
Selected pollutants and indicators proposed for inclusion in EuroAirnet are tabulated in Table 4.7 of
EEA Technical Report 12. This Table is reproduced below, and includes the specified averaging times required.
Selected pollutants and indicators to be included in EuroAirnet, Stage 1.
aa: Annual average/exposure
2) For these pollutants, mainly long term average concentrations are of interest for the assessment of effects. However, measurement methods
often take much shorter samples (e.g. 24-hour or weekly samples), and shorter samples are also needed in order to explain variations in terms
of source contributions etc.
3) Measurements of weight loss of standardized panels of material, measured according to standard procedures (Swedish Corrosions Institute, 1989).
Methods of Measurement
CEN or EU Reference methods, or equivalent methods must be used for all pollutants, where available. However, reference methods do not yet exist for all
pollutants covered by EuroAirnet. As Daughter Directives are developed for the relevant pollutants, various CEN Committees are working to prepare CEN
Reference Methods.
For the Priority 1 pollutants, reference methods exist for the following pollutants:
The data quality objectives for statistics derived from EuroAirnet data are defined in Table 4.9 of the criteria
report. For the monitoring objective "Mapping, comparability" these are as follows:
The ETC-AQ also recognises that further work is needed to define data quality objectives in more detail, and
to provide more clear guidance on how representativeness and overall quality should be determined.
QA/QC classification
Stations to be included within EuroAirnet will be classified by a number from 1 to 5 for data QA/QC, according
to Section 4.5.3 and Table 4.8 of the criteria report, as shown below.
Table 4-8 of the criteria report:
ETC/ACM
Services EuroAirnet criteria
Selection of areas to be monitored
In each country all large cities (population > 0.5M), at least 25% of medium cities (population 0.25 - 0.5 M), and
at least 10% of small cities (population 0.05 - 0.25 M) should be selected for inclusion in EUROAIRNET. (The terms
"large, medium and small cities" in this report refer to these population ranges). Within each size range, cities
should be included with low, medium and high levels of industrialisation.
These are defined as areas outside cities of population > 0.05M. Emphasis should be on secondary pollutants:
ozone, PM10, PM2.5. The aim should be to ensure that the monitoring network covers a substantial part of the rural
population. Each country should evaluate the extent of rural monitoring necessary, based upon
Areas should be selected where pollution levels approach those of medium size cities, or approach WHO or EU
air quality limit values.Classification of monitoring stations
Monitoring stations must be classified according to the following criteria, as set out in section 4.2 of the criteria report:
These are as used in the previous Exchange of Information classification. In the updated
EoI Annexes these
are somewhat modified, although the "type" and "zone" classes are the same. This modified classification scheme
has not been introduced yet in EuroAirnet. 
Areas of representativeness of monitoring stations
For each monitoring station, an evaluation should be provided of the area for which the station is representative.
In many cases it is appropriate to provide this in terms of a radius; typical examples for various station classes
are given in Section 4.3 of the criteria report.Selection of pollutants, indicators and methods
Pollutants and indicators
24-hour average data from integrating samplers will also be accepted.
- Priority 1 Steel
Steel is the most frequently used reference material for characterization of the corrosivity of the environment through out the world. Several ISO
standards use this material since the corrosivity of steel is highly reproducible if the same production badge is used for the exposure.
- Priority 2 Zinc
Zinc is used as reference material in standards in the same way as steel. Zinc tends to give slightly diffe-rent results compared to steel mainly
because zinc give larger spread in the exposure results.
- Priority 3 Copper and calcareous stone
These two materials are to a less extent used as reference materials. However, they are important materials for our cultural heritage. Copper has a slow
corrosion rate and may need longer exposure time than one year. Calcareous stone will differ in quality from stone quarry to stone quarry, and different
countries are recommended to select their own reference material for stone among the most frequently used calcareous stone types in their country.
Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
Data quality objectives
It is recognised that these data quality objectives are very strict. However, they are set in order to ensure
that mapping and assessment based on EuroAirnet data are of sufficient accuracy and reliability. All network
operators with stations included in EuroAirnet should strive to accomplish these objectives.
QA/QC criteria for classification and the selection of stations accepted to be included in the EuroAirnet.
Level 2a: Stations belonging to a national air quality monitoring network, operating a QC plan implemented
on a national level, operated by a central laboratory (not accredited), but still providing comparability on
a national level.
Level 2b: Stations belonging to a local air quality monitoring network, operating a QC plan implemented
on a local level, but operated by an accredited laboratory.
Level 3: Stations belonging to a local air quality monitoring network, operating a QC plan implemented
on a local level, not operated by an accredited laboratory.
Level 4: Individually operated networks or stations implementing a minimum QC plan.
Level 5: No documented QC plan, therefore, not acceptable for inclusion in EuroAirnet.
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Summary of the criteria as described in the report:
- Selection of areas to be monitored
- Classification of monitoring stations
- Area of representativeness of monitoring stations
- Selection of pollutants, indicators and methods
- Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
Selection of areas to be monitored
Population exposure
Cities
In each country all large cities (population > 0.5M), at least 25% of medium cities (population 0.25 - 0.5 M), and
at least 10% of small cities (population 0.05 - 0.25 M) should be selected for inclusion in EUROAIRNET. (The terms
"large, medium and small cities" in this report refer to these population ranges). Within each size range, cities
should be included with low, medium and high levels of industrialisation.
In each selected city, all monitoring stations (up to a maximum of 20) should be included. A good spatial distribution of urban background stations is particularly important (sec. 4.1.1 of the criteria report), but there should be a balance with traffic and industrial sites, where applicable.
Rural areas
These are defined as areas outside cities of population > 0.05M. Emphasis should be on secondary pollutants:
ozone, PM10, PM2.5. The aim should be to ensure that the monitoring network covers a substantial part of the rural
population. Each country should evaluate the extent of rural monitoring necessary, based upon
- identification of the rural areas with the highest population densities
- area of representativeness of monitoring stations located in the areas.
As a guide, 50% of the rural population should be covered.
Industrial areas outside cities
Areas should be selected where pollution levels approach those of medium size cities, or approach WHO or EU
air quality limit values.
Exposure of materials
Exposure assessment sites should be representative in terms of local building techniques and materials used. In rural areas, selected areas should also be representative of the range of climatic conditions occurring in the country. It is suggested that >10% of large cities (>0.5 M) and >5% of industrial areas should have materials' exposure assessment stations, and that three sites within a city might be selected; representing the highest background pollution levels (possibly near the centre), a more average background site and a "traffic hot-spot" site.
In industrial areas, two sites (representing high and medium levels of pollution) are suggested. Rural sites should be sufficient to represent the different climatic conditions found within the country - i.e. one per climatic region.
As explained in section 4.1.2 of the criteria report, there is an existing network of stations monitoring atmospheric corrosion- weight loss of materials samples, air pollutants and relevant meteorological parameters. These are operated under the UN/ECE Convention of Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP). Sites in this network may be suitable for inclusion in EuroAirnet; the Technical Report recommends that further analysis of data from this network should be undertaken, with a view to assessing whether the network should be extended.
Ecosystems
Each country should develop its own plan for monitoring of areas of ecosystems, such that a representative picture of exposure of ecosystems can be provided. This could include monitoring sites operated as part of the UN/ECE LRTAP International Co-operative Programmes (ICPs), which cover fresh water, forests, agricultural crops and whole ecosystems; alternatively, EMEP and/or GAW sites could be included.
Classification of monitoring stations
Monitoring stations must be classified according to the following criteria, as set out in section 4.2 of the criteria report:- Type (traffic, industrial, background)
- Zone (urban, suburban, rural)
- Characterisation of zone (residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, natural, and combinations such as residential/commercial, commercial/industrial).
Full details are provided in the criteria report, Table 4.4 which is reproduced below;
Areas of representativeness of monitoring stations
For each monitoring station, an evaluation should be provided of the area for which the station is representative. In many cases it is appropriate to provide this in terms of a radius; typical examples for various station classes are given in Section 4.3 of the criteria report.In the case of traffic monitoring sites, which are only intended to be representative of the near-kerbside environment, definition in terms of length of road is more appropriate. Similarly, for industrial stations, which monitor near specific sources, additional details including the source type, distance, and direction are required.
Selection of pollutants, indicators and methods
Pollutants and indicatorsSelected pollutants and indicators proposed for inclusion in EuroAirnet are tabulated in Table 4.7 of EEA Technical Report 12. This Table is reproduced below, and includes the specified averaging times required.
Selected pollutants and indicators to be included in EuroAirnet, Stage 1.
aa: Annual average/exposure
1) To be able to fully evaluate the measured levels relative to guidelines, these pollutants should be reported as 1-hour averages.24-hour average data from integrating samplers will also be accepted.
2) For these pollutants, mainly long term average concentrations are of interest for the assessment of effects. However, measurement methods often take much shorter samples (e.g. 24-hour or weekly samples), and shorter samples are also needed in order to explain variations in terms of source contributions etc.
3) Measurements of weight loss of standardized panels of material, measured according to standard procedures (Swedish Corrosions Institute, 1989).
- Priority 1 Steel
Steel is the most frequently used reference material for characterization of the corrosivity of the environment through out the world. Several ISO
standards use this material since the corrosivity of steel is highly reproducible if the same production badge is used for the exposure.
- Priority 2 Zinc
Zinc is used as reference material in standards in the same way as steel. Zinc tends to give slightly diffe-rent results compared to steel mainly
because zinc give larger spread in the exposure results.
- Priority 3 Copper and calcareous stone
These two materials are to a less extent used as reference materials. However, they are important materials for our cultural heritage. Copper has a slow
corrosion rate and may need longer exposure time than one year. Calcareous stone will differ in quality from stone quarry to stone quarry, and different
countries are recommended to select their own reference material for stone among the most frequently used calcareous stone types in their country.
Methods of Measurement
CEN or EU Reference methods, or equivalent methods must be used for all pollutants, where available. However, reference methods do not yet exist for all pollutants covered by EuroAirnet. As Daughter Directives are developed for the relevant pollutants, various CEN Committees are working to prepare CEN Reference Methods.
For the Priority 1 pollutants, reference methods exist for the following pollutants:
- SO2
- oxides of nitrogen (NOX, NO2)
- Ozone (O3)
- Lead (Pb)
- PM10
Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
Data quality objectivesThe data quality objectives for statistics derived from EuroAirnet data are defined in Table 4.9 of the criteria report. For the monitoring objective "Mapping, comparability" these are as follows:
- Accuracy <= 10%, precision <= 2ppb (for gases. For particles to be decided, but 2-5 �g/m3 seems likely)
- Temporal data completeness: >= 90%
- Representativeness:
The data quality objectives are set for station-by-station comparison (for same station class) and for trend
detection at any one station. In the case of comparisons of, for example cities or larger entities, or trend
assessment for larger areas, the requirements to spatial coverage and representativeness would be strict, and
to quantify those requires more analysis. To be eligible for comparison with a station of the same class in
another location (city, country), representativeness criteria should be complied with, as described on
page 37-39 of th criteria report.
The ETC-AQ also recognises that further work is needed to define data quality objectives in more detail, and to provide more clear guidance on how representativeness and overall quality should be determined.
QA/QC classification
Stations to be included within EuroAirnet will be classified by a number from 1 to 5 for data QA/QC, according to Section 4.5.3 and Table 4.8 of the criteria report, as shown below.
Table 4-8 of the criteria report:
QA/QC criteria for classification and the selection of stations accepted to be included in the EuroAirnet.
Level 2a: Stations belonging to a national air quality monitoring network, operating a QC plan implemented on a national level, operated by a central laboratory (not accredited), but still providing comparability on a national level.
Level 2b: Stations belonging to a local air quality monitoring network, operating a QC plan implemented on a local level, but operated by an accredited laboratory.
Level 3: Stations belonging to a local air quality monitoring network, operating a QC plan implemented on a local level, not operated by an accredited laboratory.
Level 4: Individually operated networks or stations implementing a minimum QC plan.
Level 5: No documented QC plan, therefore, not acceptable for inclusion in EuroAirnet.