Emissions from traffic continue to pose a threat to air quality in Irish cities, a survey by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found.
The Air Quality in Ireland 2009 study, published today, found that while air quality in Ireland was "generally good", increasing levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM10) from traffic remain a "concern" in Dublin and Cork city centres.
The report, which analysed air quality at 28 monitoring stations across the country, found nitrogen dioxide levels at one Dublin station in Winetavern Street exceeded the recommended 2010 limit.
In smaller towns, concentrations of particulate matter were elevated due to the use of bituminous coal, the survey found.
Ireland enjoys a generally high standard of air quality due to prevailing Atlantic airflows, relatively few large cities and the lack of widespread heavy industries, the report noted.
However, EPA programme manager Dr Micheál Lehane warned increased levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter observed at Dublin and Cork city centres showed the need to reduce the environmental impact of traffic.
"Vehicle emissions technology has undoubtedly decreased the impact of individual vehicles, but any benefits have been offset by an increase in the number of vehicles," he said.
Traffic is the primary source of nitrogen dioxide and is also one of the main sources of particulate matter.
The four Dublin local authorities are preparing a plan to address the rising levels of nitrogen dioxide. Provisional data indicated that levels of nitrogen dioxide, measured to at the end of September last, are below the limit value.
The EPA urged people to consider the impact that their choice of domestic heating fuel can have on the environment and air quality.
A ban on the burning of bituminous coal was introduced in Dublin in 1990 and has since been extended to places such as Cork, Dundalk, Limerick, Wexford, Galway, Waterford and Sligo.
"An extension of the ban on the sale of bituminous coal to other areas would also further improve air quality,” Dr Lehane said.