Air Quality in Ireland 2016

Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality.

Summary: Ambient air quality trends based on concentration measurements in 2016 of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, black smoke, heavy metals, ozone, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and benzene.

Air Quality in Ireland 2016

During 2016 ambient air was monitored at 30 stations in Ireland. Data collected from these stations was assessed against legislative and target values for the protection of health and vegetation/ecosystems. Concentrations observed were also compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guideline values (EEA estimated reference level used for PAH). Report highlights include:

• No levels above the EU limit value were recorded at any of the ambient air quality network monitoring sites in Ireland in 2016.
• WHO guideline values were exceeded at a number of monitoring sites for particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), ozone, SO₂ and NO₂:
  • the PM₁₀ 24hr guideline was exceeded at 11 monitoring sites
  • the PM_2.5 24hr guideline was exceeded at 9 monitoring sites and the annual guideline at 2 monitoring sites
  • the Ozone guideline was exceeded at 7 monitoring sites
  • the SO₂ 24hr guideline was exceeded at 2 monitoring sites
  • the NO₂ 1hr guideline was exceeded at 1 monitoring site
• EEA reference levels were exceeded as follows:
  • the PAH at 4 reference level was exceeded monitoring sites

• 2016 dioxin survey shows that concentrations of dioxins and similar pollutants remain at a consistently low level in the Irish environment

Air Quality Report - supplemental information