EPA - Ireland's Environment 2016

Chapter 2: Air Quality and Transboundary Air Emissions

Air quality pollutant concentrations in Ireland depend

on a number of factors, some of which are beyond our

control – such as the weather, population size or the

economy. However, the most important influence on these

levels of concentration, which we very much have within

our control, is the quantity of pollutants being emitted

by the various sectors – industry, residential, agricultural

and transport. Any decrease in quantity of emissions from

these sectors, or any shift to cleaner fuel sources, will

yield benefits for air quality and, thus, will lead to health

benefits for the population.

Conclusions and Future

Challenges

To ensure better health status for our population, we

should not be complacent about our air quality

In order for all Irish citizens to experience good air quality,

a number of steps must be taken in relation to our

regional and local emissions of particulate matter, ozone,

PAHs and NO

. First, the passing of WHO guideline values

into EU and Irish legislation would provide a real impetus

for action in this area. To support this change in legislation,

there is a need for increased air quality monitoring. This

need is mirrored by a desire from the public for greater

access to air quality data and information and a proposed

solution is outlined in the EPA’s National Ambient Air

Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP). In addition, the

Department of Communications, Climate Action and

the Environment (DCCAE) is in the process of developing

a clean air strategy for Ireland, which should highlight

some of these issues and propose some policy solutions.

The introduction of the nationwide ban on smokey coal

in 2018 is to be welcomed and should help shift the

use of solid fuel to cleaner alternatives, including gas.

Government incentives for businesses and private home

owners should be expanded to encourage a switch

to cleaner energy alternatives. Group schemes for gas

installations off the national grid should be encouraged,

in the same way as already existing water schemes.

Regulation of all solid and biomass fuels, coupled with the

introduction of a national fuel testing laboratory service,

should be prioritised as a matter of urgency to keep pace

with the rate of change in the fuels market. Regulation of

stove emissions along with an information campaign on

the use and maintenance of various solid fuel appliances,

should be implemented. A national campaign for greater

energy efficiency in our homes and workplaces would also

help, as this would lead to a reduction in energy demand.

This in turn should lead to reductions in emissions.

Reduced energy demand through greater energy efficiency

would also help Ireland meet its climate change targets.

The work and programmes of the Sustainable Energy

Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and local schemes such as the

Tipperary ‘Superhomes’

are particularly important in this

regard.

Pathway to Good Air Quality

Ireland is required to meet its international commitments

on air quality and emissions and ensure that industrial

emissions of pollutants to air continue to be rigorously

controlled. Ireland should also strive to ensure that

its industrial sector continues to make use of clean

technologies where possible.

The implementation of the revised NEC Directive across

Europe, as part of the EU Clean Air Policy Package, will

have a positive impact on background levels of pollutants

in Ireland, particularly NO

, and possible future impacts

for ammonia. A rise in ammonia through agricultural

expansion could lead to an increase in the secondary

formation of particulate matter – this issue needs to be

monitored carefully in the coming years. Measures such

as anaerobic digestion of animal wastes with associated

energy recovery and low-emission land spreading practices

can have multiple benefits for air quality, water quality and

climate change.

Tackling transport sector pollutants will require

www. superhomes.ie

Figure 2.10

Clean Air Strategy (Source: EPA)

Clean Air

Strategy

Good Air

Quality

WHO

guideline

values as

the target

Cleaner fuels

Alternatives

Incentives

Awareness

Education

Behaviour

Change