The agreement would restrict the amount of very fine particles, smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, allowed to be emitted from industrial sources, automobiles and urban heating systems. These particles are deemed extremely noxious as they can deeply penetrate the lungs.
According to the position adopted by the ministers, which could be amended by the European Parliament, EU countries should abide by regulations restricting such emissions to under 25 micrograms per cubic metre by 2015 by the latest.
These levels are still higher than World Health Organisation recommendations.
For larger particles, less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10), including fine and coarse dust particles, the EU put back to 2007 (from 2005) the implementation of limits already adopted, with the possibility of a further delay due to problems in sticking to the rules which restrict emissions to 40 microgrammesm3 on average, with the possibility of these levels being exceeded for 35 days a year.
Members states having problems keeping to the urban and industrial norms -- including Belgium, the Netherlands and northern Italy -- want more flexibility over the year.
The 25 therefore also included an amendment for the European Parliament to consider which would allow the PM10 emission levels to be breached on 55 days a year.
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas welcomed the political agreement on the comprehensive new EU directive on air quality as well as the council of ministers conclusions on hazardous waste movements.
"I am very pleased that the Council's agreement demonstrates strong commitment to safeguarding the health of Europe's citizens and our environment," Dimas said in a statement.
"The scourge of air pollution is still shortening European citizens' lives by an average of eight months. The Council's text endorses the approach and the level of ambition of the Commission's proposal for tackling this challenge," he said. Dimas added that he was confident the parliament would find common ground with the EU states when the directive comes back to the assembly for its second reading, probably in the first half of 2007.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2006