Concerning localised issues results in poor air quality above WHO limits, warns EPA The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that are concerning localised issues which lead to poor air quality, with the main sources of these pollutants being the burning of solid fuel in our towns and villages and traffic in our cities.On Monday, it is publishing its annual air quality report, Air Quality in Ireland 2023, based on the extensive monitoring network in Ireland consisting of 115 monitoring stations.The EPA said that while the overall level of air pollution has reduced over recent decades, our understanding of the level at which air pollutants impact health has also been deepened by the World Health Organization (WHO), which now advises that there are no safe levels of air pollution.It said that Ireland met the current EU legal air quality limits in 2023, but monitoring results were higher than the more stringent health-based World Health Organization air quality guidelines for a number of pollutants including: particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (N02), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3). The agency said: In 2023, air monitoring results from EPA stations across Ireland show that fine particulate matter (PM2.5), mainly from burning solid fuel in our homes, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), chiefly from road traffic, continue to be the main threats to good air quality. High levels of these pollutants are often associated with cold, still weather from late autumn through to early spring, when generally incidents of poor air quality of one to two days duration occur.It said that the remedies are using less solid fuel and cleaner fuels to heat our homes, making our homes more energy efficient and reducing our use of cars to go to school, work and play are actions that will contribute towards achieving our Clean Air targets.It said that local authorities can help people make cleaner and healthier air quality choices by acting on the Solid Fuel Regulations and supporting alternatives to car travel.The EPA said that its report identifies the critical role for local authorities to facilitate people to make cleaner and healthier air quality choices.It said that local authorities should be carrying out target air enforcement activities, including ensuring compliance with the solid fuel regulations, investing in public transport infrastructure across the country, and promoting active travel, including the installation and maintain safe footpaths and cycle lanes to continue to increase active travel as a viable and safe alternative to car use and associated nitrogen dioxide emissions.Dr Michel Lehane, director of the EPAs Office of Radiation Protection & Environmental Monitoring, said: Ireland now has a world class air quality monitoring network so the evidence base is strong in showing us that air pollution is not just a city phenomenon, there are negative impacts in towns and villages right across the country.He added: If we want to achieve our ambition of Clean Air for everyone, everywhere, all year round, then we need to address the emissions from residential heating and invest in transport systems right across the country.Roni Hawe, EPA programme manager, said: Progress on residential retrofit programmes will help to reduce fine particulate matter pollution but vigilance is also needed to ensure that only compliant solid fuel, such as low smoke coal and dried wood, is being sold to householders.She added: In 2022 Ireland introduced new laws to reduce the pollutant potential of solid fuels. We need to see a strong inspection campaign by local authorities this winter to make sure all retailers only stock and sell approved solid fuel.
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