High levels of air pollutants that can cause a range of respiratory, heart and brain issues have been detected across inner-city Dublin, according to new research.
Levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in excess of World Health Organisation guidelines were found in particularly high concentrations on Cork Street, along the quays, on O’Connell Street and in the area around Temple Bar.
An estimated 1,300 people die in Ireland each year due to particulate matter in the air, with many more living with the effects of heart and lung disease and strokes directly attributable to poor air quality.
The data was collected as part of a Google Air View project, which used electric Google Street View cars equipped with air sensors. The data analysed for the project covered a 12-month period to May 2022 and expanded on fixed location air monitors, as the car gathering the samples was continually moving.
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Dr David O’Connor of Dublin City University’s School of Chemical Sciences, an author on the study, said this method allowed scientists to determine that a high reading picked up in Upper O’Connell Street was widespread, as levels remained high on Promenade Road crossing Bond Drive to Tolka Quay Road and on to Alexandra Road in Dublin Port.
According Dr O’Connor, the “top 10″ areas with high levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter were: Cork Street extending from Brabazon Row to Newmarket; St John’s Road West from Custom House Quay along North Wall Quay to Cardiff Lane; O’Connell Street Upper from Promenade Road to Bond Drive to Tolka Quay Road and Alexandra Road (Dublin Port); a route alongside the Liffey to Temple Bar crossing O’Connell Bridge and continuing to the North Wall; and from Wood Quay extending to Harold’s Cross Road.
Others were the crossroads around Newtown Court Way – Clarehall Avenue and Malahide Road-Churchwell Drive; the area encompassing Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and Hanover Quay; from Custom House Quay to North Wall Quay to Alexandra Road; Cork Street following Brabazon Row to Newmarket; and a residential area located at the southeast side of Riverston Abbey in Dublin 7 to the intersection of the R101 and N3 (Dalymount) extending along R101 to Chesterfield and North Road of Phoenix Park.
Asked why Cork Street between Brabazon Row and Newmarket appeared in the list twice, Dr O’Connor said the area was tested on two occasions and had notably high levels of pollutants on both.
He said the study highlights the potential for “a mobile monitoring approach to investigate the hyperlocal distribution of air pollutants in Dublin”. Monitoring and mapping, he said, would allow for a comprehensive understanding of the air pollution within Dublin city. This would enable the provision of “real-time information about the exposure level and hotspots for further air quality management and public awareness”.
The study was also carried out by Dr Jiayao Chen, Dr Anna Mölter, Dr José Pablo Gómez Barrón and Prof Francesco Pilla from University College Dublin’s School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy.
