Phibsborough air quality ‘riddled’ with pollution, Dáil hears

The air quality in Phisborough and surrounding areas is “riddled” with pollution, the Dáil has heard.

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said last week that air pollution in the inner-city is becoming a “danger to our well-being.”

“It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Phibsboro junction [Doyle’s Corner] in my constituency is riddled with air pollution,” he said.

“Locals say the smell and heaviness of the air is inescapable and so too are the negative effects it has on one’s body.

“Some in the area, businesses included, feel as though they are forced to keep their windows closed, as what they allow in when opened is the furthest thing from clean.”

Deputy Gannon said that the level of pollution is violating EU air quality limits and at times reaching “monumental” levels.

Under EU Air Quality Directives, countries have an air pollution limit of below 40 ?g/m3 of nitrogen dioxide an hour on average over a year.

“We now have statistics which paint a dire picture,” Deputy Gannon said.

“Phibsborough junction has now reached a monumental and unacceptable 60 ?g/m3 at times.

“Plans must be urgently drawn up to correct this before substantial damage is done to residents’ health and the local environment.

“Many locals are already highlighting respiratory issues in the area.”

Deputy Gannon said other areas Mr Gannon such as Amiens Street, the Quays and East Wall, “suffer the same fate, while areas like Stoneybatter, Drumcondra and Cabra are “wondering will they be next”.

He also demanded “urgency from the Government instead of the local authority and that a monitoring station be installed in Phibsborough.

In response, Junior Minister and Green Party TD Ossian Smyth said the results of the Google Air Smart Dublin study shows that “while our overall air quality is generally good, there remain a number of localised issues of concern.

“It’s important to note that the measurements taken as part of this project provide useful insights and indicative data, but they are not of the frequency, quality or accuracy required under EU legislation for comparison to current EU limits.”

Official assessment of air quality across Ireland is conducted using data from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme maintained by the EPA.

“The number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 116 this month,” Minister Smyth said.

“Since 2019, there has been no official exceedance of these limits.”

In 2021, the World Health Organisation set revised guidelines to limit annual average nitrogen dioxide to 10 ?g/m3.

However, the minister said this would be “extremely difficult to achieve as long as petrol and diesel vehicles remain in use”.