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Air
Air is made up of a number of gases, mostly nitrogen and oxygen and in varying smaller amounts water vapour, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide, etc.
Air Pollution:
Air PollutionAir pollution is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Local Authorities. Pollutants in the air, many of which are invisible, create a variety of dangers for the health and the environment of residents and visitors.
Air Pollution can be caused from many activities including:
- backyard burning,
- power generation
- traffic fumes
- burning of fossil fuels e.g coal
The EPA is responsible for the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) licensing of large or complex industries with significant polluting potential.
Things to do to prevent air pollution:
- Switch to smokeless fuel
- Switch to gas, oil or electricity for home heating
- Use less petrol: use public transport, a bike, or walk
- Don't ever backyard-burn household waste. Cut it down with good waste management
- If you have to use cars have them serviced regularly and emissions checked
National measures to prevent air pollution:
Smoky Coal Ban:
Introduction of smoky coal ban in some of our large towns and cities. This ban has been extended to a further four towns including Athlone from 1st August 2011. For further information see: http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/SmokyCoalSulphur/
Extension of Boundaries for Smoky Coal Ban- Consultation Document - Consultation Period ends Thursday 17th May
The consultation paper on the review of the smoky coal ban regulations and accompanying annex is set out as follows:
Smoky Coal Consultation Document
Organic solvents:
Organic solvents are used in many activities and industrial processes, these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have harmful effects on the environment - for more info see: Solvents Regulations
