Toxic emissions from traffic in Dublin and Cork continue to pose a threat to air quality in Ireland, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The agency’s annual air quality report for 2010, published today, found that while air quality across the country complied with EU standards, there remained a concern about the levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter from traffic in the urban centres of Dublin and Cork.
The report bases it findings on data obtained from a national network of 27 monitoring stations.
It noted that potential cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from traffic and solid fuel burning, which the EPA has been monitoring since 2009, was close to the limit at two monitoring sites last year and could be a problem pollutant in the future.
The EPA’s report found that air quality in smaller towns was most affected by pollution from particulate matter emanating from the domestic fuel use, mainly the burning of bituminous or smoky coal for home heating.
The concentrations of particulate matter in towns like Ennis and Longford were found to be higher than those in all cities or in towns with populations above 15,000, where the sale of such fuel is banned.
From this year, however, new regulations will require all bituminous coal placed on the Irish market for residential use to have a sulphur content of no more than 0.7 per cent.
The ban on the sale of smoky coal was also extended to four additional towns - Ennis, Clonmel, Carlow and Athlone - from last month.
In April and May of last year, the EPA monitoring network was used to assess the impact on health and the environment of the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
While particulate matter from the eruption was detected, the report concluded the incident had no impact on ambient air quality in Ireland.
Director Micheál Ó Cinnéide said the EPA welcomed the change in legislation regarding bituminous coal, which will have a positive effect on air quality.
“However we must also work to reduce traffic emissions through reducing travel demand, emphasising sustainable transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport and improving the efficiency of motorised transport," he added.
The overall level of toxic emissions from industry in Ireland has fallen significantly since the onset of the recession. However, the level of emissions associated with traffic has remained similar to those recorded in the so-called boom years.
The EPA said air quality in Ireland was “generally of a high standard across the country” due to prevailing Atlantic airflows, relatively few large cities and the lack of widespread heavy industries.
