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

Chapter 3: Air Quality Figure 3.12  Annual mean concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in 2017 (Source: EEA) 5. Outlook for Air Quality in Ireland Tackling the sources of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter is the key challenge in our cities and countryside. While air quality in Ireland has been considered to be generally good, new evidence from increased monitoring and modelling, coupled with new research on the health impacts at lower levels of exposure to particulate matter, raises questions about that status. Emissions from solid fuel use (coal, peat and wet wood) continue to contribute to localised high levels of particulate matter and PAH during the heating season. The most recent year’s data for particulate matter show exceedances of the WHO guideline values throughout the country. There is a need to reduce the use of wet or green wood (i.e. wood that has not been either seasoned for a long period or dried). The level of harmful particulate emissions from such wood is almost four times higher than that for seasoned or dried wood. Having a standard to control the quality of wood for sale would support this reduction in use of wet or green wood. Levels of nitrogen dioxide are expected to remain above the EU annual limit at several locations close to busy roads in Dublin. A monitored exceedance from the new Dublin city centre monitoring site at St John’s Road West for 2019 confirms previous report findings of elevated nitrogen dioxide levels (EPA, 2020). Actions to tackle the key sources of road transport pollution are required to improve the current situation. Planned actions as part of the National Clean Air Strategy, the National Air Pollution Control Programme, the Climate Action Plan and local air quality plans at a city level are designed to improve air quality for everyone (EC, 2019b). To tackle localised air quality impacts, further regulation of solid and biomass fuel (i.e. coal, peat, wet wood) is required in the area of residential home heating. The promotion of affordable alternatives in terms of home heating upgrades and public transport should be continued. At a European level, the planned implementation of the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) for domestic stoves will have a positive impact and will need to be implemented into Irish legislation by 2021. 77