Burning of solid fuel and emissions from vehicle exhausts remain the main threats to good air quality in Ireland, according to the EPA Report Air Quality in Ireland 2015.

However, in general air quality in Ireland is good, largely as a result of our relative lack of large cities, weather and access to predominantly clean air from the south west.

The report shows that despite Ireland's monitored air quality being within EU limit values it still faces challenges in maintaining the position. Levels of particulate matter in air is of growing concern, especially during the winter months when people's fuel choices can directly impact on air quality and on our health, particularly in our small towns and villages.

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Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA, said: "Environmental protection and health protection are inextricably linked. We all expect that the air we breathe is clean but we cannot take this for granted. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is no safe level of air pollution. With this in mind it is time to tackle the two key issues impacting on air quality in Ireland – transport emissions in large urban areas and emissions from smoky fuels in our small towns around the country.

"While the EU has introduced and implemented a range of legal instruments to improve air quality, these standards are still not in line with the tighter World Health Organisation air quality guidelines. The EPA is calling for movement towards the adoption of these stricter guidelines, especially for particulates and ozone, as legal and enforceable standards across Europe and in Ireland."

(CD/LM)