Ireland’s ambition to move towards the health-based WHO air quality guidelines will be challenging, but will have a significantly positive impact on health

Ø  Air quality in Ireland is generally good, however, there are concerning localised issues. Ø  Ireland met all of its EU legal requirements in 2022, but it did not meet the more stringent health-based World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality guidelines. Ø  It is estimated that there are approximately 1,300 premature deaths annually in Ireland due to poor air […]

Ireland should move towards achieving the health-based WHO air quality guidelines

Air quality in Ireland is generally good, however, there are concerning localised issues that are impacting negatively on the air we breathe. Ireland met all of its EU legal requirements in 2021, but it did not meet the new health-based WHO guidelines in 2021. Ireland and Europe should move towards achieving the health-based WHO air […]

Higher emission targets for agriculture are not only crucial for our climate, but for water and air quality, biodiversity, and food security say civil society NGOs

The Environmental Pillar, the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) have voiced concern that almost no consideration is being given to the water pollution, air pollution, biodiversity loss and food security issues associated with agricultural intensification in the ongoing deliberations on the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings for the Agricultural sector. A 22% […]

More focused and co-ordinated enforcement is needed by local authorities to protect water and air quality, cautions EPA

Local authority inspection numbers remained high (180,000 in 2020) despite the impact of COVID-19. However, water inspections decreased by 30 per cent and air and noise inspections decreased by 10 per cent. Focused water quality enforcement and follow through on non-compliances in key areas such as farm and septic tank inspections needs improvement. The burning of non-complaint […]

EPA has started a 3-year project that will improve the level of air quality information

EPA has started a 3-year project that will improve the level of air quality information available to the public and policy makers in Ireland. LIFE EMERALD is part funded by the European Commission LIFE funding programme. The main objectives are:o  an operational 3-day ambient air quality forecast;o near real-time mapping of the main air pollutants throughout […]

More action is needed by Local Authorities to protect Air and Water Quality warns EPA

The EPA has today released its report on local authority environmental enforcement activities for 2019. There has been an increase in local authority inspection and enforcement activities relating to waste and litter. Further action and coordination are needed to ensure compliance with air legislation, with a focus on fuels that are on sale and in […]

Ireland’s air quality facing pollution challenges from solid fuel burning and transport emissions

The number of monitoring stations providing real-time air quality information to the public via the EPA website will have more than doubled in 2018 (from 19 in 2017 to 45). Air quality monitoring results in 2017 showed that burning of solid fuel and emissions from transport remain the main threats to good air quality in […]

Study Shows Air In Home May Be Health Risk

A new study by the Asthma Society of Ireland, sponsored by Envirion and NuWave Sensors, shows that improving indoor air quality may help people with asthma manage their symptoms. The research suggests air quality monitoring and air cleaning could be a vital part of ongoing asthma management. Kevin Kelly, interim CEO of the Asthma Society […]

Burning Solid Fuel Biggest Threat To Good Air Quality – EPA

The EPA’s latest report on air quality, released today, shows that burning of solid fuel is the biggest threat to good air quality in Ireland, followed by emissions from vehicle exhausts. Despite monitored air quality being within EU limit values we face challenges in maintaining this position. And, at a number of locations, air quality […]