The EPA has published figures for four key air pollutants responsible for long-range transboundary air pollution such as acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone pollution. This latest information from the EPA shows that in 2011, emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) were above the specified EU emission ceiling. While some reductions in NOx levels from the transport sector have been delivered since 1990 through technological improvements, these have not been as substantial as originally anticipated.
Advances in emission controls have been largely off-set by increases in vehicle numbers and fuel use during a time of significant economic growth over the period 1990 to 2008. Reducing NOx emissions requires travelling less by car as well as the uptake of new vehicles with improved emission control technologies.
Dr Eimear Cotter, Senior Manager, EPA, says: “High nitrogen oxide emissions pose a threat to human health as a respiratory irritant, particularly in people with asthma. The key to decreasing nitrogen oxide emissions lies in reducing travel and incentivising the purchase of cleaner vehicles with improved emission controls. Changing behavioural patterns in these two areas will reduce emissions so contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment and a better quality of life.”
The figures also show that levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3) were below the EU emission ceilings. The main sources of these emissions are power generation, residential and commercial sectors for SO2; solvent use and transport for VOCs; and agriculture for NH3. Reductions in these three pollutants have been achieved through a diverse range of measures including effective licencing and enforcement by the EPA, stricter regulation of VOC emissions from vehicles and declining animal numbers in the agriculture sector.
Dr Cotter adds: “The switch to low sulphur fuels and low solvent products such as paints is welcome, and has kept Ireland below EU emission ceilings for sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds. Ammonia emissions have stayed reasonably constant since 1990, however, ambitious targets under Food Harvest 2020 could put pressure on ammonia emissions into the future.”