Traffic-induced air pollution dropped in 2020 due to restrictions

Traffic-induced air pollution fell last year largely due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Air pollution remained within EU limits throughout 2020, the report says, thanks to a work-from-home order which meant fewer people were making a daily commute.

However, the levels of several pollutants still exceeded air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organisation, largely due to the continued burning of solid fuels for heating people’s homes.

Estimates by the European Environment Agency place the annual number of premature deaths caused by air pollution in Ireland at 1,300.

“For Ireland”, the report says, “the key to improving air quality lies in the incentivisation, promotion and support for a shift in society away from solid fuel for home heating to cleaner alternatives and the promotion of clean transport options.”

However, the recent reintroduction of work from home guidance has done little to reduce the volume of cars on Irish roads, RTÉ reports.

According to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, traffic levels currently sit within 1% of pre-pandemic levels, even after the government announced on 11 November that people should work from home unless absolutely necessary, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

(Molly Killeen | EURACTIV.com)