Air

Air quality in Ireland is generally good and compares favourably with many of our European neighbours, however there are concerning localised issues which lead to poor air quality.

Irish sky in Cavan 2022

Read our latest report - Air Quality in Ireland 2022

See our new interactive Air Quality report

Image showing the Air Quality Index for Health map

Find out what air quality is like near you

See what air quality is like in your locality and follow the associated health advice using the AQIH, Air Quality Index for Health interactive map

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We can all help improve the quality of the air we breathe, see what you can do

Change how you heat your home Change how you travel to work, school and play PM pollution: see how we measure it
General air quality infographic showing the problems, what can be done, and its outcomes
Air quality in Ireland infographic

Air quality and you

What you need to know about air quality

What's happening with air quality?

Key Messages

While air quality in Ireland is generally good, there are concerning 
localised issues – these impact negatively on our health.
  • People’s health and the health of our environment is at risk due to the levels of pollutants in our air. 
  • Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from solid fuel combustion and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from vehicle emissions remain as our main pollutants.
  • Ireland’s ambition in the Clean Air Strategy is to move towards the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality guidelines, this will be challenging but will have a significantly positive impact on health.

 

See how the air monitoring network has grown since 2017

Air Quality Index for Health

Air problem pollutant

problem pollutants - seasonal graph

What can I do?

Chimney smoke

We can all help improve the quality of the air we breathe:

  • Reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution from home heating.
  • Avoid using solid fuels if you have an alternative cleaner heating system.
  • Change how you heat your home by moving away from smoky fuels and instead use cleaner heat sources.
  • Make our homes more comfortable by increasing /improving insulation, supports are available through the national retrofitting scheme.
  • Reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) pollution from 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.

What's needed?
Help is needed to facilitate people to make cleaner and healthier air quality choices:

  • Local authorities must provide more resources to increase air enforcement activities and implement the new solid fuel regulations.
  • Dublin Local Authorities must fully implement the Dublin Air Quality Plan.
  • Maintain and increase investment in clean public transport infrastructure across the country. 
  • Create more safe footpaths and cycle lanes.

 

Clean Air Together

LIFE Emerald

Diffusion Tubes

Monthly Air Quality Bulletins

 

Air Quality Reports Air

in: Air Quality
Irish sky in Cavan 2022
Air Quality in Ireland 2022

- Key indicators of ambient air quality in 2022

Summary of ambient air quality in 2022 based on concentration measurements of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, ozone, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and benzene. While Ireland met EU legal air quality limits in 2022, it did not meet the health-based World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for a number of pollutants including: particulate matter (PM), nitrogen Dioxide (N02), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3)

íomhá clúdaigh don tuarascáil um Chaighdeán an Aeir in Éirinn 2021
Cáilíocht an Aeir in Éirinn 2021

Príomhtháscairí maidir le cáilíocht an aeir chomhthimpeallaigh in 2021

Garden Meadow
Air Quality in Ireland 2021

Air quality in Ireland during the year 2021

This assessment is based on monitoring data collected from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network during the year 2021

smoke chimneys
Air Quality in Ireland 2020

This assessment is based on monitoring data collected from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network during the year 2020

Smoke coming from chimney
Air Quality in Ireland 2019

This assessment is based on monitoring data collected from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network during the year 2019

FAQs about air quality

in: Air

Air quality in Ireland is generally good however there are localised issues due to the burning of smoky fuel or emissions from transport in dense urban areas.

Popular FAQs

  • I have observed a contractor spraying pesticides in a public area not taking any safety precautions to protect the public - who to contact

    You will need to contact the Pesticide Registration & Control Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine for advice on this matter.

    Further information is available here: http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/professionaluserssprayeroperators/

  • How often is the Air Quality Forecast updated?

    Twice a day, once in the morning (by 9:30) and once in the evening (by 19:30).

  • Why do we need an Air Quality Forecast?

    The forecast gives everyone in Ireland the air quality information they need to plan their outdoor activities to reduce potential exposure to poor air quality. The forecast also helps to increase awareness of air quality issues and to remind us all to take steps to reduce air pollution in Ireland.

  • What is the Air Quality Forecast and what does it forecast?

    Air Quality Forecast Maps predicts daily air quality for:

    • today,
    • tomorrow, and
    • the day after tomorrow. 

    Air quality is presented with different daily maps, including:

    • Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH),
    • Particulate Matter (PM) – both PM2.5 and PM10,
    • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
    • Ozone (O3). 

  • How does the air quality map work?

    The air-quality map colour-codes the readings from the air quality monitoring stations in Ireland. The map can be viewed at: https://www.airquality.ie

    The readings are based on the current air quality index (1 to 10) as it relates to health. This is called the Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH) status. The monitoring stations map updates at least once an hour. 
    The air quality readings are colour-coded from 1 being good (light green) to 10 being very poor (purple).

    Green is good

    Typically, most air quality monitoring stations are green. This shows the quality of the air is good. 

    Blue means no automatic update available in this area

    If a station is blue, it means that it does not update data automatically. Instead, the air quality reading must first be analysed in a laboratory before we can report on air quality.

    Grey means information not available at this time

    If a station is displayed in grey on the map there may be:

    • an instrument or communication issue at the monitoring station, or
    • planned maintenance or upgrade taking place.

    You can see all EPA air quality reports and the latest air quality bulletin in our Reports and Bulletins.

    Access a list of all the monitoring stations.

    This map also presents the twice daily updated Air Quality Forecast maps. These show the expected air quality for:

    • today,
    • tomorrow, and
    • the day after tomorrow. 

Download infographics and factsheets on air quality

General air quality infographic showing the problems, what can be done, and its outcomes
Heating Home infographic update 2022 circles
EPA Ireland's Environment infographic
EPA infographic

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