A project to identify areas in Dublin that suffer most from air pollution caused by road traffic has started.
The study is designed to identify air pollution "hot spots" in advance of the new EU directive on benzene and nitrogen dioxide, which member-states must comply with by 2005.
Three European cities, Paris, Rome and Madrid, will also participate in the Resolution project, which will collate the levels of benzene and nitrogen dioxide at 135 sites throughout the cities. The chemicals, found in exhaust fumes, cause cancer and respiratory problems.
Mr Dan Wallace, Minister of State for the Environment, yesterday announced Dublin's participation in the project with the city's Lord Mayor, Mr Maurice Ahern.
He said emissions from road transport represented the major air-quality threat. "The new standards will be challenging to achieve and maintain in heavily trafficked urban areas if road transport emissions continue to grow at the rate witnessed in recent years," Mr Wallace said.
Early results from the project, which began in September and will conclude in July, indicate air quality in Dublin are well within the limits set by the EU.
Mr Brian McManus, Dublin Corporation's senior executive in charge of environmental health, said the Red Cow Roundabout, Pearse Street and Burgh Quay had been identified as areas suffering high levels of pollution.