Emissions of ammonia have been increasing since 2011 and in 2016, for the first time, they were above the specified, EU emission limit. Emissions of two of the other air-pollutants, nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds, while in compliance with EU limits for now, are increasing. These were well below the required EU emission limits, substantially due to the use of lower sulphur content fuels in electricity-generation and transport. Higher emissions of these pollutants will damage air quality and health and make future compliance with EU limits more challenging. For further detail on these figures, see the EPA web-published report, ‘Ireland’s Air Pollutant Emissions, 2016’.

Source: Irish Examiner March 30, 2018 23:03 UTC