LETTERKENNY was one of a number of towns across Ireland to record a high rate of air pollution incidents last year.
The latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows air quality levels last year exceeded the recommended daily limit of particulate matter (known as PM10) on 21 days in Ennis, county Clare and 14 days in Tralee, county Kerry.
Other monitoring stations which recorded relatively high numbers of such readings included Ringsend, Dublin (11 days); Edenderry, county Offaly (10); Longford town (nine); Macroom, county Cork (seven) and Letterkenny (six).
Particulate matter are tiny particles of dust, soot and smoke which come mainly from the burning of solid fuel such as coal, peat and wood for heating purposes. Particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide emissions from the transport sector are the State’s main sources of air pollution.
Winter months
Levels of this matter are usually at their highest in winter months due to a higher use of fires and stoves for heating.
Bray, Carrick-on-Shannon, Sligo, Kilarney, Carlow and Greystones were among 16 out of 58 monitoring stations, which compiled data on PM10 levels last year, which did not exceed the limit on any day.
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