Fri. Feb 7th, 2025

Clean Air Together: Limerick Residents Measure Air Quality Across the City

ByMagdalena Tanneberger

Wednesday, 30 October 2024, 13:28 , ,
Limerick City's Riverpoint view; photo by Luke Curley
EPA-Led Project Engages Community to Map Air Quality with Results Due in Early 2025

October 30 marks the final day of the Clean Air Together Project in Limerick City, a four-week initiative that began on October 2.

The project aims to measure local air quality through public and business community participation and create awareness of air quality. It is led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with Limerick City & County Council and supported by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce.

Around 400 selected participants, including residents and business owners, installed measurement tubes at chosen locations. These tubes track Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution levels, providing insight into air quality across the city.

Úna Walsh, one of the participants, shared her motivation for joining: “I took part in a different project with Limerick City and County Council aimed at helping the city become more carbon neutral. I’m really interested in initiatives that can make Limerick better.”

Tracking Nitrogen Dioxide: How Limerick Residents Are Helping Map Pollution

To participate, individuals had to reside within the Limerick Metropolitan District Area, be available for measurement duties, and install the tubes following specific guidelines. Ms Walsh noted initial concerns: “I was worried about how to do it and if it would stay up, but we were given a step-by-step guide. So far, it’s still there.”

Today, participants will remove the tubes and send them back for analysis. Results, combined with existing EPA air quality data, will be available in early 2025, providing a comprehensive look at the city’s air quality. “I’m very interested to see how my street compares to other places,” Ms. Walsh added.

The project has previously been conducted in Dublin, Cork, and Galway. For more details, visit cleanairtogether.ie.

What is Nitrogen dioxide?

The main source of nitrogen dioxide resulting from human activities is the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil) especially fuel used in cars. It is also produced by making nitric acid, welding and using explosives, refining petrol and metals, commercial manufacturing, and food manufacturing.

The main health effect of nitrogen dioxide is on the respiratory system. Inhalation of nitrogen dioxide by children increases their risk of respiratory infection and may lead to poorer lung function in later life. There is also an association between nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the air and increases in mortality and hospital admissions for respiratory disease. Nitrogen dioxide can decrease the lungs’ defences against bacteria making them more susceptible to infections. It can also aggravate asthma.

Source: Ministry of Environment New Zealand