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Saturday 2 December 2023 Dublin: 2°C

# Pollution

This week
26th November 2023 - 2nd December 2023
EU member states reach preliminary agreement on reducing industrial emissions
The deal would “reduce harmful emissions from industry and improve public access to information,” the European Council said.
Last month
November 2023
New York state sues PepsiCo over plastic pollution in rivers that supply drinking water
The lawsuit alleges that the drinks giant misled the public about its efforts to combat pollution.
Schools shut across India's capital as toxic smog engulfs the city
Levels of the most dangerous PM2.5 particles – so tiny they can enter the bloodstream – are almost 35 times the daily maximum recommended by the WHO.
This year
2023
Uisce Éireann fined over €7,000 for fish kill in Cavan
It is the third such prosecution against the plant since 2015
'This is a matter of basic health': Will Dublin City get congestion charges any time soon?
A report by
Cormac Fitzgerald
There have been calls for low emissions zones and congestion charges to be introduced in the capital.
South Dublin County Council investigating pollution in River Poddle which coloured water white
The council told The Journal that it is not aware of “any noticeable impact on fish and bird life” following the incident.
Ireland's air quality last year was below WHO standards for human health
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its annual air quality report.
Michelle O'Neill calls for public ownership of Lough Neagh amid outcry over toxic algal blooms
Lough Neagh provides 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water.
Lung conditions will be made worse by climate change, say respiratory experts
Respiratory experts are calling on governments to reduce emissions and improve air quality using the same policies.
Air pollution is the greatest global threat to human health, study finds
Residents of Bangladesh would gain 6.8 years of life expectancy if pollution was brought down to WHO guidelines.
Uisce Éireann fined €5,000 for pollution that killed fish in the River Liffey
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) took the case against Uisce Éireann.
'Unacceptable' commitment by public bodies when faced with environmental information requests
The Commissioner for Environmental Information has reversed a ‘staggering’ number of environmental information decisions by public bodies.
UN talks on agreement to protect the high seas continue into the early morning
The high seas comprise more than 60% of the world’s oceans and nearly half the planet’s surface.
Two thirds of reef sharks and rays risk extinction due to climate change and overfishing
Sharks are under most threat in the Western Atlantic and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Last year
2022
Air pollution killed 238,000 Europeans prematurely in 2020, EU watchdog says
That was slightly more than those recorded in 2019 in the EU.
Local councils hiring inspectors to target farms over pollution concerns
It follows concerns over the impact agriculture has been having on water quality in a number of regions.
Concerns over data submitted by Wexford power plant to EPA
Independent report alleges a ‘major issue’ with water quality monitoring near SSE’s Great Island Power Station.
Noxious gases from erupting Icelandic volcano threaten nearby village
The pollution could reach the capital Reykjavik, 40 kilometres from the volcano, by tomorrow.
Oil spill pollutes nature reserve in Ecuador's Amazon
Neither the government nor OCP Ecuador have quantified the extent of the spill.
Elephants dying from eating plastic waste in Sri Lankan dump, conservationists warn
Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump.
All time
Climate activists deflate tyres of ‘luxury’ cars in Glasgow protest
Around 60 cars in the west end of Glasgow were targeted.
Over half of septic tanks failed their 2020 inspection, says EPA
Over a fifth were also found to be a risk to human life or the environment.
Microplastics in Irish waters 'pass up the food chain' into systems of humans and larger animals
The findings were contained in research carried out by scientists at UCC.
Brown Thomas and Arnotts remove 470 cosmetic glitter products from sale
The group said the move is part of its drive to reduce plastic pollution and manage its environmental footprint.
Pollution causes around 725 deaths in Dublin each year, with 144 linked to diesel emissions, study finds
The EPA study based its findings on an analysis of the level of particulate matter (PM2.5) found in the capital.
Plume of Sahara dust causes spike in European air pollution
The cloud of fine sand blown northward from Algeria tinted skies red and mixed with snowfall in the Alps and Pyrenees, leaving slopes looking orange.
Swimming was banned at bathing spots across Ireland for over 350 days this year
Noteworthy analysis of EPA data shows that “do not swim” notices are an all too common occurrence at beaches across the country.
Major leisure and biodiversity centre in Booterstown refused planning permission over pollution concerns
The site is located opposite the former Tara Towers Hotel on the Merrion Road.
Study finds link between air pollution and neurological disorders
The study is the first nationwide analysis of the link between fine particulate pollution and neurodegenerative diseases in the US.
Plastic in the Atlantic Ocean is far beyond levels previously estimated
Researchers believe plastic levels in the Atlantic are ten times higher than previous estimates suggest.
Link between strokes and air pollution rise in winter, RCSI research finds
Higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide showed a 3.5% higher risk of stroke.
Opinion: After the Covid-19 masks are gone, will we breathe cleaner air?
Dr Karen Moore of the An Taisce Green-Schools programme wonders if despite Covid-19 and the lockdown, can we take some long-lasting benefits from it all – for the air we breathe, our health and quality of life.
​​Smoky coal ban extended to all towns with populations of over 10,000 people
The new ban kicks in on 1 September.
Over 30% of all plastic exported from Europe may not be recycled, according to Irish study
The work was carried out by researchers from NUIG and University of Limerick.
Wet wipes: 50% of brands labelled 'flushable' actually contain microplastics (and shouldn't be flushed)
The researched looked at how sanitary products are polluting Irish oceans.
Fall in air pollution from traffic since Covid-19 restrictions
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nitrogen dioxide levels have dropped in tandem with the sharp fall in car use over the past months.
Dramatic fall in Ireland's transport pollution as we undertake 'natural experiment'
Since Covid-19 restrictions came into force the use of planes, trains and vehicles have all dramatically fallen.
Water quality in almost half of Ireland's lakes and rivers deemed unsatisfactory
Coastal waters had the highest proportion of water bodies in good or high ecological status, according to an EPA report.
Levels of dangerous air pollutant NO2 possibly exceeding limits on M50 and on Dublin streets
A new report from the Environment Protection Agency looks at indicators of the levels of NO2 in the air in Dublin.
Ireland is 'buying' its way out of meeting its emission targets by spending €86.8m worth of carbon credits
TD Seán Fleming said it was ‘the biggest act of gross hypocrisy’ at play.