EPA: Irish air quality among best in Europe

THE quality of our air is among the best in Europe, according to latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The environmental watchdog say this superior air quality is due to prevailing Atlantic airflows, relatively few large cities, and the lack of widespread heavy industries.

Due to traffic levels, there is some concern around levels of nitrogen dioxide and the amount of particulate matter in Dublin and Cork city centres — pollution at one site at Winetavern Street in Dublin exceeded acceptable 2010 nitrogen dioxide limits.