Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

372 Chapter 14: Environment, Health and Wellbeing 3. Key environmental and health issues Air pollution Air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to our health, causing an estimated 1600 premature deaths annually from conditions such as cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses (EEA, 2023c). The air pollutants of concern for health in Ireland are fine particulate matter (with a diameter of less that 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 )) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) (EPA, 2023a). Higher levels of PM 2.5 , the most impactful pollutant on health, are associated with burning solid fuels in our towns and villages, affecting localised air pollution levels. High levels of NO 2 in large cities and urban areas are associated with road traffic (EPA, 2023a). In 2021, WHO published revised air quality guidelines that substantially lower the guidelines for both NO 2 and PM 2.5 . At EU level a revision of the Cleaner Air for Europe Directive (2008/50/EC) has been progressed, while at national level Ireland’s first Clean Air Strategy sets the country an ambition of progressively moving towards achieving the WHO guideline limits by 2040. Meeting the WHO guideline limits will be a major challenge for Ireland, but it is one that is essential if we are to safeguard the health of our citizens (see Chapter 2 for more details). Figure 14.3  Better ways to heat your home Green/Wet Wood Bituminous Coal Turf REMEMBER: Only approved fuels can be placed on the market, to ensure improvements in air quality and health outcomes Heating your home and its impact on air quality and health WATCH: About the burning of waste Burning waste at home is illegal Burning very smoky solid fuel in an open fire Burning less smoky solid fuel in an open fire Burning less smoky solid fuel in a stove Burning less smoky solid fuel in an eco stove Kerosene oil boiler Gas boiler Electrified heating supplied by power station Solar, wind and heat pump technology ILLEGAL Very Smoky Less Smoky WATCH: ABC for Cleaner Air Worst choice for air quality and health Best choice for air quality and health ‘Low Smoke’ Coal Dry/Seasoned Wood Manufactured Fuels Peat Briquettes Source: EPA, 2024a