Asthma sufferers and people sensitive to air pollution will now be able to access live figures for air- quality stations at sites around the country. Liam Reid reports.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a new website which will provide "real-time" figures on air pollution levels for various pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
The monitoring sites include six in Dublin, three in Cork, and 11 others. The areas for which data will be available include Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Drogheda, Dundalk, Athlone and Tralee.
The site is in response to European regulations requiring air-quality data to be made available and accessible to the public.
Air pollution experts believe the data will be of benefit to people who suffer from breathing-related difficulties, such as asthma.
"Air pollution can affect sensitive population groups and eco-systems," said Dr Ciarán O'Donnell of EPA.
Dr O'Donnell hopes the public will be able to see the direct impact of the weather on air pollution levels. "If you get a particularly cold snap, you will be able to see that air pollution shoots up."
Traditionally Ireland has had one of the lowest levels of air pollution in Europe.
However particulate matter levels, which have the most significant impact on breathing, are close to the European limits in some city-centre sites.
Car engines are the source of most particulate matter, which are tiny particles of dirt.
The www.epa.ie/air/monitoring site contains more information.
