Green Limerick: Citizen scientists record NO2 levels

THE RESULTS of Limerick city’s air quality are in, with the campaign labelled as “a great success story”.

In October 2024, more than 400 citizen scientists measured levels of the harmful air pollutant, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), in Limerick’s Metropolitan District area as part of the Clean Air Together Limerick City project.

The results show the impact of traffic on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution levels, with higher NO2 levels linked to higher traffic volumes.

73% of samples taken are in the lowest category for NO2, while high levels of the pollutant account for only 2% of measurements taken during the course of the project.

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The highest NO2 levels were found by busy roads and in the city centre at: Hassett’s Cross, Island Road, Patrick Street, Upper William Street, Castle Street and High Street.

A public event was hosted in Limerick to present the results of the study to the people in Limerick.

This large-scale citizen science project was led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with Limerick City and County Council.

Commenting on the project, Dr Micheál Lehane, EPA director, said: “Clean Air Together Limerick City is a great success story, with over 400 citizen scientists in the city measuring the levels of traffic pollution in their local areas.

“This campaign has provided an incredibly useful snapshot of nitrogen dioxide levels in Limerick and has given us important data about this air pollutant, in addition to information from the EPA’s existing air quality monitoring network.

“We simply couldn’t have completed this project without Limerick city’s citizen scientists, and it is wonderful to see the commitment of the people of Limerick city to their local environment.”

Nitrogen dioxide levels across Limerick were generally low, with 73% of study results falling in the lowest NO2 category (0-10 µg/m3). 25% of results were in the next lowest NO2 category (10-20 μg/m3).

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said: “The need for clean air is fundamental to the health of citizens in Limerick.

“The interest in Clean Air Together Limerick City has shown people’s awareness of the importance of good air quality.

“The project provides an indication of the potential impact on citizens' health and well-being from transport systems in the Limerick Metropolitan Area and in that regard my Mayoral Programme is committed to positive action.

“Key to this are a number of strategies and plans including our Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 and the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy which will have a significant positive impact providing sustainable options for active travel and actions that support a climate resilient society.”

The information gathered through Clean Air Together will now be used by the EPA to assist with its air quality modelling and forecasting.

The information will be used by Limerick City and County Council to further enhance their baseline data for the city to measure all future air quality, building on valuable work to date.

This campaign in Limerick’s Metropolitan District follows similar and successful campaigns in Dublin in 2021, Cork city in 2022 and Galway in 2023.