EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 3: Air Quality Assessing Air Quality in Ireland Data from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network are used for public information and reporting purposes. Air pollution levels are assessed using specialised techniques and instruments at designated monitoring stations across the country. Figure 3.2 displays the national ambient air monitoring network. The stations collect air quality data for public information display (available at www.airquality.ie) and for assessment against both the European legal limit values and WHO guideline values. The data are reported to the EEA every hour. The network is managed by the EPA, in partnership with local authorities and other public bodies and third-level education institutions. Figure 3.2  National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network in 2020 (Source: EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017-2022 Following a review of ambient air quality monitoring in Ireland, the current national monitoring programme was launched at the end of 2017. Following a review of ambient air quality monitoring in Ireland, a new national ambient air quality monitoring programme commenced at the end of 2017. The programme is providing more comprehensive, real-time, localised air quality information that is linked to public health advice. The programme involves a greatly expanded national monitoring network, supported by increased modelling capability to provide air quality information to the public. To date, the network has expanded from around 30 stations to more than 80, with a number of the existing stations upgraded to provide more real-time data. The EPA currently undertakes air quality monitoring, communicates these data to the public and reports data in compliance with the requirements of the Ambient Air Quality Directives. The programme also aims to involve the public through various citizen science initiatives to encourage greater public understanding of and involvement in air quality issues (Topic Box 3.1). Topic Box 3.1 GLOBE Program GLOBE 1 is an international science education programme running in more than 120 countries across the world. In Ireland, it is coordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with the EPA. Twice a year, students from schools across Ireland measure the air quality around their schools as part of the GLOBE Air Quality Campaigns. Students use diffusion tube samples to measure nitrogen dioxide – a principal pollutant from car exhaust emissions – at locations around their schools for one month. They then analyse the results and examine potential impacts on their health and wellbeing. Overall, the findings in Ireland have indicated generally good air quality. For most schools, the results ranged from ‘excellent’ to ‘pretty good’. Nitrogen dioxide levels were higher for schools in major towns and cities than for schools in rural areas. Schools noted a deterioration in air quality at the school gate compared with more sheltered areas, such as school grounds. 1 https://www.globe.gov/web/ireland/home/overview-of-air-quality- campaign 65