Sir, – Your environment and science editor is to be congratulated for his well-researched article on air pollution in Ireland (Kevin O’Sullivan, “How fine-particle air pollution in Dublin and other Irish cities is slowly killing us”, Analysis, September 30th).
Fine particles which derive primarily from solid fuel home heating are identified as the main culprit, with air pollution estimated to have over 1,600 annual attributable deaths, and health cost of €2.3 billion.
The article sets out in clear and sobering terms its impacts on all our health.
This seems in marked contrast to the Environmental Protection Agency approach which last week led the press release on its annual air quality report with the line that “air quality in Ireland is generally good”, and consequently much of the media coverage adopted this approach with flattering comparisons to places with greater challenges.
How can something that is estimated to have over 1,600 annual attributable deaths, here in Ireland, 10 times the number killed on the roads, be considered to be “generally” good? – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’GRADY,
Dublin 20.