Traffic pollution contributes to poor air

A report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified heavy traffic and non-smokeless fuel as two causes of bad air quality in Ireland.

The report found that nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM10) are the main air pollutants in the Republic of Ireland. Both of these substances are generated mainly by road traffic and the combustion of solid fuel by industrial and domestic users.
Results were based on information supplied by 25 stations around the country which analyse air quality on an hourly and daily basis.

EPA programme manager Dr Ciaran O’Donnell said that good air quality was dependent on local emissions.
The highest reading for nitrogen dioxide came at Winetavern Street in Dublin, near Christchurch Cathedral. However it was found to have been nearly 25% below the recommended safe level.
The EPA has found that high levels of lead which once posed a real risk to health are no longer a problem. This is because of the use of unleaded petrol.