The European Parliament could clash with the European Council of Ministers over limiting particulate matter in ambient air – a move that could pressure governments into limiting the use of diesel. Tougher measures that have already been rejected have been re-tabled by the Parliament’s environment committee.

MEPs are focusing on the finest particles, PM2.5, which cause most damage to lungs. MEPs also propose reducing maximum concentration levels of the largest particles, PM10.

The proposals include some flexibility – a three-year exemption from the PM10 rules for “areas which cannot meet the targets because of site-specific dispersion characteristics, adverse climatic conditions or trans-boundary contributions”.