Awareness campaigns and tighter fuel standards proposed to improve air quality
Monitoring, awareness campaigns and tighter fuel standards are among measures proposed to improve air quality in Northern Ireland.
A raft of measures have been put forward in a consultation for a new Clean Air Strategy.
It describes traffic emissions, burning solid fuels like coal and wet wood in homes and ammonia from agriculture as the main sources of harmful air pollution in Northern Ireland.
While it said progress has been made, the levels of pollutants still exceed the latest World Health Organisation guidelines in many areas.
The strategy sets out an ambition to improve air quality by 2032 through five strategic objectives and a comprehensive programme of actions, including upgraded monitoring, annual awareness campaigns, transport planning and tighter fuel and appliance standards
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said the strategy is his commitment to cleaner air for all.
“There is no ‘safe’ level of air pollution and sadly, hundreds of deaths in Northern Ireland can be attributed to long-term exposure to poor air quality. Cleaner air must be a public health priority, and we cannot ignore the risks, particularly to children and older people,” he said.
“The draft Clean Air Strategy sets my commitment to cleaner air for all. To fulfil that ambition, we must take a holistic approach, working across government, councils and civic society.
“Many of the solutions to air pollution are intertwined with the actions we take for nature and our climate, delivering huge benefits from cleaner energy to a more active and healthier population.”
Chief medical officer Professor Sir Michael McBride welcomed the consultation.
“Air pollution affects us all and is everyone’s business. The environment in which we live, and the air that we breathe, has a direct impact on our mental and physical health,” he said.
“Poor air quality is the greatest environmental risk to public health in the UK, with long-term exposure to air pollution causing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and lung cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy.
“This impact is disproportionally felt by underserved populations, deepening and widening the unjust health inequalities that exist in Northern Ireland. I am delighted that this consultation recognised this as a key health concern and seeks views on the best way to address this issue and improve environmental and health outcomes.”
He added: “I would encourage everyone to consider and respond to the consultation, and for us all to play our part in making Northern Ireland a better and healthier place to live.”
The consultation on the draft Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2032 will close on October 27, and can be accessed at www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/clean-air-strategy-northern-ireland-2032.