Ambient Air Quality

Air quality in Ireland is assessed by measuring concentrations of pollutants at a number of locations around the country and comparing the results with air quality standards and limit values that have been established at EU level.  Many of these measurements are made in real-time, updated hourly and can be viewed on the EPA website's interactive map. 

The National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP), established in 2017 to run for years, is an ambitious programme that aims to upgrade current air quality information the EPA website while developing initiatives that improve citizen engagement. Further details on the AAMP can be found here.

Sulphur dioxide

SO2 2020 Trend

SO2 2020 Trend

SO2 2020 Trend

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Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is formed when coal and oil containing sulphur is burned.  Such burning takes place in power stations to generate electricity, in homes and offices for heat, and in vehicles for transport.

Sulphur dioxide is dangerous because high concentrations of the gas, even for a short period, can cause breathing difficulties for people with asthma. Longer-term exposure to high concentrations, along with high levels of particulate matter, can aggravate heart problems, respiratory illness and can damage the lungs' defences.

Together, sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are the main causes of acid rain. These gases are converted to acids by water vapour in the air and fall as rain with a low PH. This rain makes the streams and lakes acidic and releases heavy metals from the soil. It also damages forests and speeds up the corrosion of buildings and monuments. 

The graph shows the decline in Irish SO2 emissions since 1990, and projections for emissions to reduce even further. 

Levels of Sulphur Dioxide have generally declined over the past number of years. This decline is due, to the ban on bituminous coal in the larger cities and towns of Ireland, the switch away from coal towards oil and gas, and to the reduction in the sulphur content of fuel oil in order to comply with EU directives. More air quality charts and data can be viewed on the EPA's Air Quality website