While air quality in Ireland in 2020 was generally good there are worrying localised issues.
Air pollution from traffic fell at all monitoring stations, particularly at urban roadside locations, as a consequence of reduced traffic volumes due to Covid-19 restrictions.
However, Ireland was above World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone at 52 monitoring sites, mostly due to the burning of solid fuel in our villages, towns and smaller cities.
Fine particulate matter from the burning of solid fuel remains the biggest contributor to poor air quality in Ireland, responsible for an estimated 1,300 premature deaths per year.
The choices we make in how we heat our homes and how we travel directly impacts the quality of the air we breathe.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today launched its annual air quality report ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2020′. The report shows that, while air quality in Ireland is generally good and compares favourably with many of our European neighbours, there are worrying localised issues which lead to poor air quality.
EPA monitoring shows that Ireland was compliant with EU legal limits in 2020, largely assisted by the significant reduction in traffic due to Covid-19 restrictions. Air pollution from traffic – nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – fell at all monitoring stations, but most notably at urban-traffic locations where levels fell by up to 50%.
However, air quality levels were above the WHO stricter guideline values at 52 monitoring stations, largely due to the burning of solid fuel for home heating.
Air quality has an impact on people’s health and there are an estimated 1,300 premature deaths in Ireland per year due to levels of fine fine particles (particulate matter) in our air. Levels of this pollutant are of growing concern and are particularly high during the winter months, when people’s use of solid fuels such as coal, turf and wood impacts negatively on-air quality, especially in villages, towns and smaller cities.
The EPA air quality report notes that any movement towards cleaner home heating choices and less smoky solid fuel choices will result in a subsequent improvement on air quality.
Launching the report, Air Quality in Ireland 2020, Dr Micheál Lehane, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection & Environmental Monitoring, said, “The EPA’s air quality monitoring carried out in 2020 has shown that there were dramatic and immediate decreases in air pollution in our urban areas due to reduced traffic volumes associated with COVID-19 restrictions. As we now start to travel more we must not lose sight of the obvious link between our journey choices and levels of traffic derived air pollutants. Pollutants from traffic have a negative impact on people’s health and our actions, as individuals, do impact the air we breathe.“
Pat Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said, “Ireland still has issues with poor air quality due to the burning of solid fuel in our villages, towns and smaller cities. Ireland is above WHO air quality guideline values at many locations and it is imperative that we each, as individuals, make cleaner air choices when deciding how to heat our homes, as this can improve our local air quality and have associated health benefits.”
The Government has announced that new regulations on the use of solid fuels will come into force in 2022 – all coal products sold will be required to be low-smoke and all wood sold for immediate use must have a moisture content of 25 per cent or less. This is a positive step for air quality, which will need to be supported by clear communications to ensure public engagement and the best outcome for air quality and health.
The ‘ABC for Cleaner Air’ campaign, launched by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, highlights some simple steps we can all make and help reduce pollution from solid fuels. The EPA’s home heating infographic also identifies what changes people can make to home heating choices to improve air quality.
The ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2020’ report is available on the EPA website. The EPA continually monitors air quality across Ireland and provides the air quality index for health and real-time results online HERE. Results are updated hourly on the website, and people can log on at any time to check whether the current air quality is good, fair or poor.
Further information: Niamh Hatchell/Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office: 053-91 70770(24 hours) and media@epa.ie
Pre-deceased by her husband Pat; Mrs Murphy, passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at St Theresa’s Nursing Home, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Her passing is most sadly missed by her loving family; sons Vincent and Edmund, daughters Marie (Dinan) and Eileen (O’Brien, Co. Galway), sons-in-law Richard and Denis, daughters-in-law Norma and Mary, granddaughters Sandra, Grace, Kiera, Laura, Donna, Michelle, Pamela and Danielle and her ten great-grandchildren, brother Michael (Darmody, Co. Waterford), sister-in-law Vourneen, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mrs Murphy will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, on Tuesday, November 23rd, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, before being received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, at 7:30pm. Her body will further repose for Requiem Mass on Wednesday morning, November 24th, at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in St Patrick’s cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Requiem Mass for Mrs Murphy, but are unable to do so, due to current virus restrictions; same can be viewed online HERE.
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering and hand shaking.]
The extended Murphy family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death yesterday, Sunday 21st November 2021, of Mr John Carroll, Clogheraily, Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Sean Treacy Avenue, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his parents Margaret and Dennis, his twin sister Mary; Mr Carroll, passed away peacefully, at his place of residence, surrounded by his loving family. thanks to the Milford Care Nurses.
His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Nancy, daughters Jacinta, Michelle and son John David, daughter-in-law Siobhan, sons-in-law John and Gary, grandchildren, Jack, TJ, Thomas, Ciara, Amy, Kate and Sam, sisters Joanie, Margie and Anne, brother Dennis, brothers-in-law, Dickie, Martin and Richard, and the Shelly Family of Lissanure, Templetuohy, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, friends and fellow FCA members.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Carroll will repose for Requiem Mass in the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Loughmore, on Wednesday morning, November 24th at 11:30am. Interment will take place immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering and with no hand shaking.]
The extended Keane family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and specifically wish to thank Milford Care Nurses for their professional care and kindness.
Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Milford Care Centre.
The Department of Health has confirmed 5,634 new cases of Covid-19, in the past 24 hours, within the Irish Republic.
There remain 684 people in our hospitals with the disease, same an increase of 16 patients based on yesterday’s figures. There are now 126 patients being treated in ICU, same up a further 1 since yesterday.
In Northern Ireland, a further 1,469 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed today, up from 1,406 on yesterday’s reported figures.
Sadly, 3 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.
There are currently 378 Covid inpatients in northern hospitals, with 36 of these being treated in intensive care units (ICUs), up from 35 on yesterday.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has warned that we should be aware that every 1000 cases of Covid-19 will lead to 20 – 25 people being placed in hospital and between 2 – 3 people requiring critical care in our ICUs. He further stated that we also should be aware that since June of this year (2021), that 1 in every 4 people who had Covid-19 and sought critical care in our hospitals, have now sadly died.
The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann has tested positive for Covid-19. Mr Seán Ó Feargháil received the results of his PCR test at the weekend and will now isolate at home until November 29th in accordance with laid down public health guidelines. During his absence from the Dáil, Leas-Cheann Comhairle Ms Catherine Connolly and other temporary chairpersons will take over his duties.
Minister for Education Ms Norma Foley is understood to be meeting tomorrow with senior officials from all of Ireland’s teacher educational facilities, with a view to establishing whether final-year students, latter training to be teachers, can play a greater role in supporting our schools during this current pandemic crisis.
Meanwhile, the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC) is calling for all customers to please continue to adhere to HSE public health guidelines, as the industry enters into one of the busiest periods of the year, coming up to Christmas.
The German Health Minister Herr Jens Spahn has urged citizens to get vaccinated. Herr Spahn, in blaming the contagious Delta variant; stated that probably by the end of this winter, pretty much everyone in Germany will be either “vaccinated, cured or dead”. His warning comes as Germany attempts to contain a record rise in coronavirus infections over recent weeks, with like Ireland, their hospitals sounding alarm bells due to their swollen intensive care units.
Prime Minister Ms Jacinda Ardern has stated that New Zealand will adopt a new system of living with the coronavirus from December 3rd, which will end tough restrictions and allow businesses to operate in its biggest city Auckland, which has been in lock-down for over 90 days.
Continue to listen to scienceanddo continue to keep yourself and your family safe by regularly washing your hands; wearing a mask when appropriate and cutting down on your social contacts.
Predeceased by her much loved daughter Christa; Mrs McCann sadly passed away suddenly.
Her passing is most deeply regretted by her heartbroken husband Neil, sons Niall, Paul and Mark, mother Hilgarth, father Algy, sister Karen, brother Simon, brothers-in-law Joe and Hugh, sisters-in-law Margaret, Helen and Ann Marie, grandchildren Charlie, Mia, Pennie, Francesca, Ena and Lara, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a strictly private interment will take place.
Anyone wishing to pay their respects, may do so by forming a guard of honour from St. Michael’s Church, Mullinahone, to Killaghy cemetery, (following route R690).
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those in attendance, will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering and hand shaking.]
The extended McCann family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: Family flowers only. House strictly private.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments