Air Quality Monitoring

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have a network of air sensors to measure crucial air pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM) and Nitrogen Dioxide, and some weather data providing real-time data to enhance our understanding of local air quality.  The sensors are available to view on: airly.org/map. In addition, they are available to view on an application for your mobile phone, search for ‘Airly’ on either Google play Store or App Store.

The data empowers people who live, work, and visit the county with insights into air quality, aiding in the development of informed decisions and proactive measures to address air pollution concerns. Key features of the air quality sensors include:

PM10 and PM2.5 Monitoring: The sensors will measure particulate matter of different sizes, offering a comprehensive analysis of air quality.

Nitrogen Dioxide Measurement: Tracking nitrogen dioxide levels is crucial for assessing the impact of vehicular emissions and industrial activities on air quality.

Real-time Reporting: The data collected by the sensors will be accessible in real-time, providing an up-to-the-minute overview of air quality conditions in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Phone Number: 01 205 4700

E-mail: info@dlrcoco.ie

 

Air Quality in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County

For the most part, air quality in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown can be considered to be good.  Historic data in relation to air quality in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is available on www.airquality.ie . Air quality in Ireland has greatly improved over the past decades, largely due to increased regulation, technological advances, greater enforcement, and enhanced awareness.

Why are DLR installing air quality monitors?

Each year, an estimated 1,410 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution. 1,300 of these are directly linked to burning solid fuel such as coal or wood. dlr is committed to addressing this serious public health challenge.

In January 2024, dlr installed additional sensors across the County to supplement the reference grade existing sensors. The data collected by the sensors will be accessible in real-time, providing an up-to-the-minute overview of air quality conditions in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. This information will enable citizens to make informed decisions about air quality in their local area.

These new sensors have been funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and fulfil measures detailed in the Dublin Region Air Quality Plan 2021   available here.

Breathelife

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, alongside Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council are committed to working together to meet WHO air quality guideline values by 2030. The four local authorities a are members of the WHO Breathlife campaign putting Dublin at the forefront of tackling air quality issues to safeguard human health-- this time alongside the interrelated challenges of climate change and sustainable development. More information is available here https://breathelife2030.org/breathelifecity/dublin-ireland/

Clean Air Strategy for Ireland

The Clean Air Strategy provides the high-level strategic policy framework necessary to identify and promote the integrated measures across Government policy that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner ambient air, while also delivering on wider national objectives. It outlines how we will enhance and protect the quality of the air that we breathe and realise the full environmental and health benefits of cleaner air.

The Clean Air Strategy is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/927e0-clean-air-strategy/

Sources of Air Pollution
  • Solid Fuels
    • Solid fuel use is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in our homes and communities. We can all play our part to reduce this form of air pollution and reduce its impact on the health of our communities.The burning of solid fuels increases the amount of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and other pollutants in our homes, and in the air. This has a negative impact on local air quality in our communities.It is clear that the choices we make when heating our homes can impact our health, and our communities.
  • Transport 

    • ​​​​​​​Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a significant air pollutant in Ireland, primarily originating from combustion processes in vehicles and industrial activities. This gas can lead to respiratory issues, exacerbate asthma, and contribute to overall poor air quality. Monitoring and addressing Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels is crucial for mitigating health risks and promoting a cleaner environment in Ireland.

    • ​​​Reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in Ireland involves a combination of regulatory measures, technological advancements, and public awareness initiatives. D lr have introduced continuous monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution to enable informed decision-making and targeted interventions such as:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

      • Promoting Sustainable Transportation,  
      • Better Urban Planning and Traffic Management, 
      • Increased Tree Planting and Green Spaces,
      • Awareness Campaigns
Health Impacts

Breathing fresh air is essential to overall health. Clean fresh air is important as it strengthens your immune system, provides greater clarity to the brain, and helps digest food more effectively.

Moreover, clean air is good for your lungs and respiratory system, plus it can improve your mood, as the more oxygen you breathe, the more serotonin (happy hormones) your body can produce.

When we burn solid fuels, they produce something called particulate matter. When we breathe in these particles, they can end up in our lungs, blood and brain.

The main health effects of air pollution include stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma. These conditions can lead to sickness and ill health, as well as premature mortality. Air pollution is also linked to increases in respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, dementia and can have negative impacts on the central nervous and reproductive systems. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are most at risk.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised air pollution in general, and particulate matter especially, as causing cancer to humans. The latest evidence indicates that the health impacts of air pollution are wide ranging.

While we are all familiar with more visible forms of air pollution, such as smoke from coal fires, new evidence suggests that invisible forms of pollution, such as fine particulate are harmful to our health.

Poor air quality is linked to serious health implications, both short-term (such as headache, breathing difficulty, or eye irritation) and long-term (chronic ongoing conditions, including asthma, reduced liver function, and cardiovascular disease). Poor air quality has also been linked to cognitive development and mental health.

These negative health impacts come at a cost, both personally and economically. In addition to premature deaths, air pollution causes absence from work, reduced productivity, higher spending on medicines, and increased hospital admissions.

More information on the health Impacts of Air Pollution is available here: Summary of Health Impacts of Air Pollution – European Environment Agency (2020)

What can I do to improve Air Quality in my area?

 

To help reduce air pollution from solid fuels, there are 3 simple steps you can take.

1 - Ask yourself: "Do I need to light a fire?"

 

We know that some homes are completely dependent on solid fuels for heating, however some people may light a fire just for cosiness. If you can, use other cleaner heating sources instead to reduce the pollution in your home and your community.

You can check the air quality in your area before you light the fire, if the air quality is very poor, think twice, particularly on days where the air is still and there is no wind to help disperse the smoke from your chimney. Information on air quality in dlr is available from…

The sensors are available to view on:

https://airly.org/map/en/

2 - Burn cleaner, more efficient, low-smoke fuels and make sure you use the right fuel for your appliance.

 

The type of fuel that you use has a big impact on the amount of pollution released to the air. The most polluting fuels have now been removed from commercial sale across the country. Bituminous coal like Columbian or Polish coal are now prohibited as they produce high levels of particulate matter. Wet wood and turf also produce high levels of pollution. You can report any sale of suspect fuels to info@dlrcoco.ie

3 - Clean and maintain your chimneys and heating appliances at least once a year.

 

It is recommended that you have your chimney swept at least once a year. A regular sweep is essential to ensure that the flue is sufficiently clear to allow the fumes to escape freely and safely out of the chimney. Breathing fumes from gas or solid fuel fires can cause serious damage to your health and in the worse cases prove fatal. Having your chimney swept regularly will drastically reduce the chances of having a chimney fire and will also help reduce the amount of pollution released to the air. The best time to have you chimney swept is just before the start of the heating season, after your stove or fire has not been used for a long period of time.

4 - Consider alternative modes of transport?

 

  • Leave the car at home if you can for one day a week.
  • Walk, cycle or take public transport.
  • Carpool.
  • Work from home for part of your working week.
  • Go Electric on your next car.

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