Introduction
1.4 Sources of Air Pollution in Cork City There are numerous sources of air pollution in Cork City. They include exhaust fumes from vehicle combustion engines (cars, vans, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), motor bikes, buses, tractors, etc.); emissions from residences (burning of fuels, specifically solid fuel burning in open fires and stoves); emissions from industry (factory chimneys, heating systems) and emissions from agriculture. There are certain pollutants that are recognized as being responsible for the majority of air pollution issues within the city as outlined in Figure 1.1. The significance of these air pollutants are further explained in the following sections. AIR POLLUTION IN IRELAND
MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS
KEY AIR POLLUTANT SOURCES
Nitric oxide (NO)
PM
O 3
SO 2
Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )
Particulate Matter
Oxides of Nitrogen - NOx
Ozone
Sulphur Dioxide
Residential
Transport
Industry
Commercial
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAHs
NH 3
CO
Volatile Organic Compounds VOC
Agriculture
Power
Waste
Natural
Ammonia
Carbon Monoxide
* please note that the order of pollutant or
pollutant sources is not a reflection of their quantity or level of impact
CO 2
Methane Greenhouse gases (GHGs) CH 4
Nitrous Oxide N 2 0
HFCs
Shipping
Aircra
Hydrofluorocarbons
Carbon Dioxide
Figure 1 .1 Air Pollution in Ireland Infographic (Source: Reference [1]) TRANSFORMATION AND MOVEMENT OF AIR POLLUTANTS
Air pollutants can react in the atmosphere to form new pollutants
Air Pollution affects local areas but also travels with wind and rain to have an impact on a local, regional and global scale.
Sunshine + Nitrogen Oxides + Volatile Organics = Ozone
1.4.1 Nitrogen Oxides (NO X ) Nitrogen oxides – or NO X – include the two pollutant gases nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). These are pollutants that are emitted in ambient air when petrol or diesel is burned in internal combustion engines. Power-generation plants and motor vehicles are the principal sources of NO X . Diesel engine vehicles produce more NO 2 than petrol vehicles. Other sources of NO 2 in Ireland include non- road mobile machinery (for example, JCBs and ride-on lawnmowers), industrial and construction activities as well as electricity and heat production equipment. NO X contributes to the formation of acid rain and is also a recognised ozone precursor (i.e. a chemical compound, which in the presence of solar radiation reacts with other chemical compounds like carbon monoxide and ammonium to form ozone). Short-term exposure to NO 2 is associated with reduced lung function and airway responsiveness and increased reactivity to natural allergens. Long-term exposure is associated with increased risk of respiratory infection in children. Nitrogen Dioxide is known to irritate the lungs and lowers resistance to respiratory infection, especially for those already suffering with breathing difficulties e.g. asthma, bronchitis. The Asthma Society of Ireland has estimated that 380,000 (i.e. 1 in 13) people currently suffer from asthma in Ireland and asthma affects 1 in 5 Irish children at some stage [6]. 1.4.2 Particulate Matter (PM 1 , PM 2.5 and PM 10 ) Particulate Matter (PM) comes in the form PM 1 , PM 2.5 and PM 10 . They are tiny particles in the air that can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, moving from the lungs into the blood stream. Inhalation of these particles can increase the risk, frequency and severity of respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders. The main sources of particulate matter are the combustion of solid fuels and road traffic emissions, in particular from diesel engines. Headaches, Anxiety (SO 2 ) Central nervous system impact and stroke (PM) ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) irritation and breathing difficulties (O 3 , PM, NO 2 , SO 2 , PAHs) Cardiovascular disease (O 3 , PM, SO 2 ) Asthma and reduced lung function (PM, O 3 ) Lung cancer (PAHs) Impacts on liver, spleen and blood (NO 2 ) Impacts on reproductive system (PM) Low birth weight, premature birth (PM) premature deaths per annum attributable to ambient air pollution in Ireland, with total health costs (mortality and morbidity) in excess of €2bn per annum.” = 10 premature Deaths Accepted Health Impacts List SUMMARY COSTS/IMPACTS “WHO (2015) estimate around 700 Ozone high in the stratosphere protects us from harmful UV rays, but ozone created at ground level due to other pollutants can have detrimental impacts on health, vegetation and crops Ammonia as a gas can combine with other gases such as sulphur dioxide to form solid particulates 2NH 3 + SO 2 = Secondary PM + + = + = NO x VOC O 3 NH 3 NH 3 SO 2 PM HEALTH IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
3
Crop Yields
Water Systems
Species diversity
Buildings & Materials
Forests
Odour
MANAGING AIR POLLUTION IN IRELAND
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