EU limits for nitrogen dioxide pollution were exceeded for the first time in Dublin city centre last year, reaching the highest level recorded since monitoring began, according to a report by Dublin Corporation's air quality monitoring unit, which blames increasing traffic congestion, combined with the unusually hot weather last summer, for the increases recorded at its station in College Green.
According to the World Health Organisation, public exposure to nitrogen dioxide should not exceed 150 microgrammes per cubic metre in any 24 hour period. But the report says this happened on 12 occasions in 1995. The WHO also recommends that a level of 490 microgrammes per cubic metre in any one hour should not be exceeded. However, monitoring data compiled by the corporation show that this was breached on 14 occasions last year.
In addition, the number of hourly readings falling within the range of 150 to 199 microgrammes per cubic metre just below the EU maximum limit has doubled from 5 per cent in 1992 to 10 per cent in 1995.
"This is a disturbing trend", said Mr John Gormley, a Green Party councillor and former Lord Mayor. "Dublin's air quality is deteriorating rapidly and the cause identified is the increase in the number of cars."
Noting that high levels of nitrogen dioxide affected asthma sufferers in particular, he criticised the delay in introducing an air quality management plan for city. "By introducing car zones and investing in more efficient public transport and cycle ways, we can ease congestion in the city and ensure better air quality", he said.
