Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

48 Chapter 2: Air Figure 2.13  Annual mean levels of particulate matter (PM 10 ), 2010-2023 (μg/m 3 ). Annual average levels across monitoring stations in zones A, B, C and D ˜ Zone A average ˜ Zone B average ˜ Zone C average ˜ Zone D average - - - EU annual limit value - - - WHO Air Quality Guideline 0 10 20 30 40 50 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Year ug/m 3 WHO Air Quality Guideline EU annual limit guideline The annual average levels of PM 10 in Ireland from 2010 to 2023 are illustrated in Figure 2.13. Annual averages are well within the EU annual limit value (40 μg/m 3 ). There is an overall downwards trend in all zones. Since 2020, the annual averages for all zones have been below the 2021 WHO air quality guideline for PM 10 (15 μg/m 3 ). Nitrogen dioxide Measured annual average concentrations of NO 2 have decreased overall in zones A, B and C, while in zone D they have remained generally constant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic volumes drastically reduced, with commensurate falls in the levels of NO 2 concentrations measured at traffic monitoring stations (EPA, 2021). Levels of NO 2 in our larger urban centres, zone A (Dublin) and zone B (Cork) have increased since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. However, annual average levels of NO 2 in these zones have not moved back to their full pre-COVID levels. Figure 2.14 details the annual average concentrations of NO 2 across the country from 2010 to 2023. Figure 2.14  Annual mean nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) concentrations, 2010-2023 (μg/m 3 ). Annual average levels across monitoring stations in zones A, B, C and D ˜ Zone A average ˜ Zone B average ˜ Zone C average ˜ Zone D average - - - EU annual limit value - - - WHO Air Quality Guideline 0 10 20 30 40 50 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Year ug/m 3 WHO Air Quality Guideline EU annual limit guideline