The European Commission adopted nine decisions addressed to Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, Hungary and the Slovak Republic concerning temporary exemptions in 94 zones or agglomerations from the EU's air quality standards for airborne particles known as PM 10.

Under the 2008 EU air quality Directive, Member States may, under strict conditions and for specific parts of the country, extend the time for meeting the PM 10 standard until June 2011. The Commission decisions approve the time extensions for 19 air quality zones in Austria, Germany and Hungary and raised objections to the exemptions in all other zones.

In 19 air quality zones in Austria, Germany and Hungary, the Commission has decided that the notified exemptions satisfy the conditions in the Directive.

In the remaining zones, the Commission considered that the conditions have not been met, in many cases because insufficient data has been provided or because the measures outlined in the air quality plans submitted to the Commission do not demonstrate that the standards will be met at the expiry of the exemption period. The Commission's assessment has also showed that exemptions will in some cases not be necessary since compliance with the limit values has already been achieved.

Member States may re-notify for zones where the Commission has raised objections if they provide new information to demonstrate fulfilment of the conditions.

The Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe recognizes the fact that several Member States have particular difficulties in achieving compliance with the limit values for particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide and benzene.

Airborne particles (PM 10) are emitted mainly in pollutant emissions from industry, traffic and domestic heating. They can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death.