Levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines have been found in hotspots across Dublin city.
A new study by University College Dublin (UCD) and Dublin City University (DCU) academics found high levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter across Dublin’s inner city.
Particularly high concentrations are focused around Cork Street, along the Quays, on O’Connell Street and in the area around Temple Bar.
Exceeding WHO guidelines
Data collected as part of the Google Air View project showed that during the sampling period, 49.4% of days exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for NO₂ levels with peaks during rush hours especially in winter.
The data was collected over a period of 16 months - from May 2021 to August 2022.
The study highlighted the potential for a mobile monitoring approach to investigate the distribution of air pollutants in Dublin.
This monitoring and mapping would allow for a comprehensive understanding of the air pollution within Dublin city, enabling real-time information about the exposure level and hotspots for further air quality management and public awareness.
The ‘Top 10’ highly polluted areas in Dublin, with high levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, include:
- Cork Street (extending from Brabazon Row to Newmarket)
- Saint John’s Road West (from Custom House Quay, running along North Wall Quay to Cardiff Lane)
- O’Connell Street Upper (from Promenade Rode, crossing Bond Drive to Tolka Quay Road and Alexandra Road (Dublin Port))
- The road along the River Liffey extending to Temple Bar, crossing O’Connell Bridge and continuing to the North Wall
- N81 (along the Wood Quay and extends to Harold’s Cross Road and James’s Street)
- Crossroad around Newtown Court way-Clarehall Avenue and Malahide Road-Churchwell Drive
- The vicinity area encompassing Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and Hanover Quay
- From Custom House Quay, extends along North Wall Quay to Alexandra Road
- Cork Street following Brabazon Row to Newmarket
- Residential area located at the southeast side of Riverston Abbey; intersection of R101 and N3 (Dalymount) extending along R101 to Chesterfield and North Road of Phoenix Park
Speaking about the study, Dr Jiayao Chen from University College Dublin’s School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy said traffic pollution is a “critical issue” in urban cities, “often contributing to or exacerbating environmental or social-economic inequalities”.
“Hyper-local monitoring at community level using Google Street Vehicle car provides reliable data that is comparable to traditional fixed site monitoring stations,” she said.
"We uncovered distinct spatial and temporal patterns in two major pollutants associated with traffic - fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
“Our finding represents a unique case for Dublin, on highly polluted days domestic heating emerged as the dominant contributor to PM2.5 at street level.”
Temporal guidance
Dr Chen said their research emphasises the “need for detailed temporal guidance, especially for vulnerable populations, to help guide safe indoor and outdoor activities”.
“With the EU recently introducing stricter air quality guidelines, our findings underscore the need for long-term, localised monitoring to inform strategic mitigation plans tailored to both local and regional scales,” she said.
The study was carried out by Dr Chen, Dr Anna Mölter, Dr José Pablo Gómez Barrón and Prof Francesco Pilla.
Cars and heavy articulated trucks on Bachelor's Walk Quay in Dublin city, 12-2-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie
