The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has urged the Irish government to do more to clear up air pollution in towns and cities across Ireland and is warning that – at the current rate – Ireland will fail EU air quality targets by 2030.
Whilst the EPA says Ireland’s air quality is “generally good” and in line with EU law right now, the agency warns that tougher targets down the line will be harder to meet.
Around 1,700 premature deaths occur in Ireland each year because of poor air quality, the EPA says.
From 2030, tougher EU air quality limits come into force and the EPA is not convinced that Ireland is going to be ready.
On the current trajectory, Ireland will be non-compliant with EU law on the smallest measured particulate matter, so-called PMs 2.5. Ireland will also fail to meet the EU target on nitrates, the EPA fears.
The findings come in a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA collated data from 115 air monitoring stations across Ireland.
Whilst Ireland currently meets EU air quality standards, “we are projected to fall short of the stricter air quality standards set for 2030 under the new Ambient Air Quality Directive”, the EPA warns.
The tougher EU targets are designed to cut air pollution-related deaths by 55 percent by 2030.
On a number of different air pollutants, Ireland will struggle to reach that goal, the EPA warns.
“Ireland faces significant challenges in meeting these targets, with projected compliance levels of only 93 per cent for fine particulates (PM2.5) and 78 per cent for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Ireland also continues to fall well short of achieving the more stringent World Health Organization (WHO) health-based 2040 guidelines for several key pollutants.
The primary sources of air pollution in Ireland are solid fuel burning and traffic emissions. The European Environment Agency estimates that in Ireland, more than 1,700 premature deaths annually are attributable to air pollution, with links to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, dementia, type 2 diabetes and neonatal mortality. Vulnerable groups, including children and older adults, are particularly at risk.”
The EPA’s environmental monitoring expert, Pat Byrne, said:
“Many of us have grown up with the comfort of an open fire and limited alternatives to travelling by car—but these familiar habits contribute to poor air quality. Supporting people to shift towards cleaner heating and more sustainable travel isn’t about giving something up—it’s about gaining healthier air and healthier lives.”
Air pollution is often associated with cities, heavy traffic and big industry. But when it comes to Ireland, the EPA says that is not necessarily the case.
The EPA believes the government will need to work harder across the country to cut air pollution.
