Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

37 Chapter 2: Air Air 1. Introduction The quality of the air we breathe is of critical importance to our health and the health of our ecosystems. As an island on the periphery of Europe with south-westerly prevailing winds, Ireland is less frequently affected by transboundary air pollution from its neighbours than other parts of Europe. However, national emissions of air pollutants contribute to poorer air quality throughout the year, be they from home heating, transport, agriculture or energy. The national emissions are added to by episodes of transboundary air pollution from continental Europe. Overall, there is an increasing understanding of the negative, pervasive impacts on our health of air pollutants, including impacts on the health of children (Figure 2.1). Figure 2.1  Health impacts of air quality on children in the EU Lung and organs developing Weaker immune system Faster breathing rate Breathing through the mouth Closer to the ground While in their mothers’wombs School and kindergarten grounds and courts Commuting to school and afterschool activities Spend more time outdoors Are more physically active Low birth weight Children and adolescents are more vulnerable to air pollution... They take in more polluted air* Exposure is different from adults How pollution affects children and adolescents 1,200 deaths and the loss of over 110,000 DALYs** among those aged under 18 in EEA Member States *** Asthma and reduced lung function Risk of respiratory infections Upper respiratory infections and otitis Allergies including allergic rhinitis *Per kg of body weight **DALYs: disability-adjusted life years, a measure of the burden of disease caused by a risk factor ***GBD Collaborative Networks, 2020 Source: Adapted from EEA, 2023a