Air quality zones

View real-time air quality data  for air monitoring locations.

The Air Framework Directive deals with each EU member state in terms of "Zones" and "Agglomerations".  For Ireland, four zones are defined in the Air Quality Regulations (2002), amended by the Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Nickel and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air Regulations (2009).

The main areas defined in each zone are:

• Zone A: Dublin Conurbation
• Zone B: Cork Conurbation
• Zone C: Other cities and large towns comprising Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Clonmel, Kilkenny, Sligo,  Drogheda, Wexford, Athlone, Ennis, Bray, Naas, Carlow, Tralee, Dundalk, Navan, Letterkenny, Celbridge, Newbridge, Mullingar and Balbriggan.
• Zone D: Rural Ireland, i.e. the remainder of the State excluding Zones A, B and C.