Industrial air emissions in Portugal: 2008 report

Abstract

Monitoring air pollutant emissions of large stationary sources is necessary to ensure compliance with environmental legislation. Pollutant emissions to the atmosphere from the major air polluting industries in Portugal are subjected to specific limits, according to the specific industrial sector and specific emitting source, on the basis of a self-control system. The results of the respective measurements are reported to the competent authority – Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). This study was carried out with the results of the main Portuguese industries (57), calculated for different source emission and industrial sectors, according to the respective emission limit values (ELV), which were 96,5% fulfilled in 2008 (96,9% in 2007), for the continuous emissions results. The annual report serves as a measure of Portuguese progress in reducing air pollution emissions as a result of mandatory and voluntary controls and of continuous changes in national activity. The emission level concerning the ELV and total legal non-compliances is also presented, from comparison to the 2007 results, according to the emission source and its activity sector. Thus, an overview of the Portuguese legal framework is shown, and referenced new environmental licenses in order to reduce air pollution. These include promotion of the best available technologies and strengthening and effectively implementing emission standards, which can be seen, by analysis of specific statistical information, about frequency distribution on emission level. This study had the particular challenge of developing an overview of available methodologies in order to support decision-making concerning air pollution, in particular, to this specific research.