Faculty of public health medicine

Abstract

Atmospheric pollution in this country is mainly a Dublin city problem.Even there it is only a problem in the months of November, December and January when thermal inversions occur.The main sources of pollution are the burning of soft bituminous coal in dwelling houses and the fumes from vehicular traffic.The banning of use of bituminous coal under the Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels Regulations 1990 has been followed by a marked drop in pollution levels over the past two winters, however there is evidence that these pollution levels were dropping for other reasons before the Regulations came into force.Since 1980 we are obliged under a European Community Directive to monitor air for smoke (particulate carbon matter), sulphur oxides, lead and nitrogen oxides.It is likely that as time goes on that other pollutants will be added to this list e.g.ozone and volatile organic compounds (V.O.C's) such as benzene, toluene, chloroethanas, aldehydes, styrenes e~.These pollutants arise from industrial processes and can have health implications.They are at present being monitored in many European countries on a voluntary basis.