Fresh bill of health for Clare air

A new index of air quality launched this week has so far shown that Clare’s air is clean and there are no risks to those affected by air pollution.

The Air Quality Index for Health has been launched by the Environmental Protection Agency allowing the public to view the current air quality in their region and assess its impact on their health. Monitoring is being carried out in both Shannon and Ennis with results this week showing that the air quality is good.

The web-based index, developed in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, Met Éireann and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government shows what the current air quality is across the country. The Air Quality Index for Health is a coloured scale divided into four bands: good; fair; poor and very poor, with health advice provided for each band.

The Air Quality Index for Health is calculated hourly and is represented on a colour coded map of Ireland, from which the public can easily assess current air quality in their area. The index can be viewed on the EPA website.

Speaking at the launch, Laura Burke, director general, EPA said, “The Air Quality Index for Health allows people in Ireland to keep informed on air quality and its impact on their health. Results from the EPA’s National Air Monitoring Network are combined with information on the health effects of air pollution and shown on a colour-coded map, updated hourly. People can check current air quality for their region, find out if it might impact on their health and get advice on what they can do to reduce the effect.”

To coincide with the launch of the Air Quality Index for Health, the EPA also launched a Twitter channel @EPAAirQuality. The public can sign up to this Twitter channel and receive tweets on the status of air quality in their region every day.