Limerick City and County Council launch noise and air quality tracking

LIMERICK City and County Council (LCCC) has unveiled a new interactive environmental monitoring dashboard, offering the public real-time access to air quality and noise data across Limerick City and County.

The launch, coinciding with Clean Air for Blue Skies Day, marks a major step in public access to environmental information and supports Limerick’s continued focus on health, sustainability, and quality of life.

A total of 29 fixed monitors are now active across 15 locations in Limerick, measuring air quality and/or noise levels.

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These include sites managed by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and LCCC.

All data is publicly accessible through a new online interactive map and dashboard, enabling residents to explore live readings, daily trends, and historic environmental data.

Notably, six of the monitoring sites are positioned along strategic Active Travel routes, supporting efforts to measure how walking and cycling infrastructure impacts air and noise pollution levels.

Key monitoring locations across Limerick include EPA Air Quality Stations in Abbeyfeale, Askeaton, Henry Street and the People’s Park.

LCCC monitored stations are in Castletroy, Mungret, Lock Quay and Lough Gur.

As well as Active Travel corridors such as Ballinacurra Road, Canal Bank, Childers Road, South Circular Road, Dublin Road at The Parkway and Old Cratloe Road.

Air quality monitoring in Limerick began in 2017, with stations at Castletroy, O’Connell Street, and Mungret. Today, the network measures key indicators including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs and is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory disease, as well as cancer. NO₂, largely from traffic, is linked to short-term respiratory effects and long-term increased risk of respiratory illnesses.

In addition to air quality, LCCC monitors environmental noise to support Strategic Noise Mapping, a legal requirement every five years.

The data also helps identify potential quiet areas, such as Canal Bank, Castletroy Greenway, Lough Gur and People’s Park.

These areas are considered in Noise Action Plans, helping to preserve valuable tranquil spaces across the county.

Residents, schools, researchers, and community groups can explore the new platform via the Limerick Environmental

Monitoring Dashboard, where they can zoom into specific monitoring sites, check the Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH), and access and download historical data.

The dashboard also integrates data from the EPA’s national air quality network, which is accessible from their website online.

Clean Air for Blue Skies Day is a Europe-wide initiative, raising awareness of air pollution and the importance of healthy air for people and the planet.

Limerick’s dashboard launch aligns with the day’s goals, providing transparency, empowering informed action, and encouraging cleaner transport choices.