asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the statement on air pollution in Dublin attributed to a member of the staff at UCD and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin Air Pollution.
377.
I have seen the report in question. In so far as it implies that there has been a progressive disimprovement in Dublin air quality over recent years, it is completely at variance with the air monitoring results in the environmental pollution report 1978-79 prepared by the chief health inspector for Dublin Corporation. Attached is a copy of a table from that report which summarises the winter and summer averages and the mean annual levels of smoke and sulphur dioxide levels for the past six years.
The table shows that winter levels of smoke decreased over the six years 1973-74—1978-79 by 36 per cent and the mean annual levels for smoke by 31 per cent. In the same period, the data for sulphur dioxide, despite some increase last year which was very much colder than the 30-year average shows an overall decrease of 39 per cent for winter levels and 31 per cent for mean annual levels.
Reference was made in the press report to the effects of increased use of solid fuels as a result of the oil shortage. In fact, measurements taken during the period April to September 1979 show a reduction in both smoke and sulphur dioxide concentrations compared with the corresponding period in 1978. Results for the winter period will be examined when they become available in due course.
In regard to EEC Directives, I would like to mention that a proposal for a Directive on Health Protection Standards for Sulphur Dioxide and Suspended Particulate Matter has been discussed in the Council of Ministers on a number of occasions. The fact that agreement has not been reached is not due to any difficulties raised by the Irish Delegation. On the contrary, we have been making every effort during our Presidency to secure the agreement of member states and I am hopeful that these efforts will bear fruit at the next Council meeting.
Following is the table:
TABLE V.
WINTER AVERAGES (OCTOBER to MARCH).
|
Smoke |
1973/74 |
53 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1973/74 |
101ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1974/75 |
46 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1974/75 |
86 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1975/76 |
38 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1975/76 |
83 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1976/77 |
49 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1976/77 |
67 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1977/78 |
43 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1977/78 |
58 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1978/79 |
34 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1978/79 |
62 ug/m³ |
SUMMER AVERAGES (APRIL to SEPTEMBER).
|
Smoke |
1973 |
25 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1973 |
64 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1974 |
25 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1974 |
69 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1975 |
21 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1975 |
57 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1976 |
21 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1976 |
57 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1977 |
19 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1977 |
44 ug/m³ |
|
Smoke |
1978 |
20 ug/m³ |
SO2 |
1978 |
52 ug/m³ |
SUMMARY OF MEAN ANNUAL LEVELS (APRIL to MARCH) FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.
|
1973/74 |
1974/75 |
1975/76 |
1976/77 |
1977/78 |
1978/79 |
||||||
|
Smoke |
SO2 |
Smoke |
SO2 |
Smoke |
SO2 |
Smoke |
SO2 |
Smoke |
SO2 |
Smoke |
SO2 |
|
39 ug/m³ |
83 ug/m³ |
36 ug/m³ |
78 ug/m³ |
30 ug/m³ |
70 ug/m³ |
35 ug/m³ |
62 ug/m³ |
31 ug/m³ |
51 ug/m³ |
27 ug/m³ |
57 ug/m³ |