Monitoring & Assessment: Air Publications

Air Quality in Ireland 2015

Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality.

Summary: Ambient air quality trends based on concentration measurements in 2015 of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, black smoke, heavy metals, ozone, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and benzene.

 

Air Quality in Ireland 2015

Air monitoring data from 31 stations in the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network was assessed against legislative limit and target values for the protection of human health and vegetation. Air monitoring data was also compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 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 2015

 

• WHO guideline values  were exceeded  as follows:

                                                Ozone at 7 monitoring sites

                                                Particulate Matter PM₁₀ at 16 monitoring sites (24hr WHO guideline)

                                                Particulate Matter PM_2.5 at 8 monitoring sites (24hr WHO guideline)

                                                Particulate Matter PM_2.5 at 1 monitoring site (annual WHO guideline)

• EEA reference levels were exceeded as follows

                                                                PAH at 4 monitoring sites

 

• The dioxin survey 2015 shows levels recorded are similar or lower than those from previous surveys and from studies undertaken in other EU countries

 

• This report summarises the current state of research in air quality supported by the EPA in 2015

 

• This report also summarises some key statistics from work undertaken in air enforcement in 2015 by the EPA

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