Plans to monitor additional particulates underway.
Limerick City and County Council has installed three air quality monitors in the metropolitan area of Limerick to provide live indicative air quality data to the public.
These monitors are located in Limerick city centre, Mungret and Castletroy.
They measure particulate matter (PM) which is commonly used as an indicator of dust particles in air. This includes total suspended particulates, PM10, PM2.5 and PM1, which are a major component of air pollution that threatens both our health and our environment.
Data from the air quality monitors can be accessed through the website airqweb.com.
Both current and historical data (from the date of installation) can be viewed through this website.
These monitors have been installed as a resource for the public, which will allow people to view data on air quality in their area at any point and to look at trends in air quality over a period of time.
This information can also be used in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance below which provides guidance on health issues associated with different particulate levels.
It is planned to add additional modules to the units in the near future to monitor sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and ozone.
Air quality in Limerick city and environs is generally good. The main pressures on air quality are emissions from vehicular traffic and burning of solid fuels in domestic fireplaces.
WHO Guidance
| Pollution Banding | Value | Accompanying health messages for at-risk individuals* | Accompanying health messages for the general population |
| Low | 1-3 | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. |
| Moderate | 4-6 | Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors. | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. |
| High | 7-9 | Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion. | Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors. |
| Very High | 10 | Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. | Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat. |
* Adults and children with heart or lung problems are at greater risk of symptoms. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition. It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects even on ‘Low’ air pollution days. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance provided.