A New Air Quality Forecast Service Aids Those with Respiratory and Heart Conditions in Ireland
A newly launched air quality forecast service will provide crucial information for individuals with asthma and other respiratory or heart conditions in Ireland. This three-day forecast offers insights into current and expected pollution levels across the country, encompassing towns, villages, and cities.
Operated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the service empowers vulnerable individuals to make informed decisions about outdoor activities, thereby helping to safeguard their health. It also aims to reduce the staggering toll of 1,300 premature deaths in Ireland each year attributable to exposure to polluted air.
Accessible at www.airquality.ie, the service offers daily air quality forecasts for the present day, tomorrow, and the day after. Users can navigate a zoomable map featuring colour-coded indicators of the primary air pollutants and their levels in various regions. Initially updated twice daily, with plans for near real-time updates by March of the following year, the service will offer area-based forecasts covering 3km by 3km regions. Over time, it may provide even more precise predictions.
Starting from June of next year, a comprehensive annual breakdown will be available, offering data on a street-by-street basis. The major pollutants of concern include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM), with NO2 primarily stemming from fossil fuel combustion, especially in vehicles. Ozone forms when pollutants react with sunlight, posing a health risk. PM comprises tiny particles resulting from various sources, including open fires.
Despite improvements in vehicle technology and emissions regulations, air quality in Ireland continues to be a concern. Lowering pollutant levels remains critical, especially given the growing understanding of their adverse health effects, including recent findings linking air pollution to type 2 diabetes.
The forecasting service utilises data from the EPA’s network of 120 air quality monitoring stations and complements this information with computer models to fill data gaps. Weather conditions, land use, population density, and vehicle usage are considered to create a comprehensive picture of air quality. Weather conditions play a significant role, as a calm, cold day in an area with many homes using open fires can severely impact air quality.
The Asthma Society of Ireland welcomed the forecast, as Ireland has one of the highest asthma incidence rates in Europe. The service will not only assist those managing respiratory conditions but also help policymakers address local air quality concerns.
Irish Samachar English News
Comments are closed.