Hundreds of volunteers from homes and businesses in Galway City are being sought for a study to measure air pollution in the city.
The Environmental Protection Agency and City Council are seeking the help of 500 citizen scientists to help measure the level of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in their local area.
NO2 is air pollutant which can cause serious harm to your heart and lungs, which is mainly emitted by cars, vans and trucks.
The study will be carried out over the course of October, with all volunteers to be fully supplied with the kit they need.
Deputy Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Donal Lyons said “I am delighted to represent Galway City Council at the launch of the amazing Clean Air Together initiative, which highlights the importance of air quality in our city.”
“This initiative offers those of us who live in the city an opportunity to directly engage in the collection of air quality information and to learn what our local air quality is.”
“These results can help inform Galway City Council of NO2 levels within the city and will be combined with existing EPA air quality results to give a better picture of NO2 levels in the city.”
The volunteers who have registered for the study will be sent a kit including the measurement tube, and simple instructions on how to install it.
You will be asked to install the tube on Monday, October 2 and leave it in place for approximately four weeks. The tube will measure the levels of nitrogen dioxide – without you even knowing that it is there.
After approximately four weeks of measuring NO2 levels, the tube is posted back to the EPA, free of charge. The tube will be analysed, and results should be available early 2024.
EPA Director Micheál Lehane said, “The EPA is delighted to be bringing this exciting project to Galway city to measure nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – a major traffic pollutant which is known to be harmful to our health, and the environment.”
“By taking part in this Clean Air Together project, you will measure NO2 in your area and your measurement – together with all of the other data collected – will give us a detailed picture of air pollution from traffic in the city.”
Anyone who is resident in Galway City can get more information, and register to take part, at www.CleanAirTogether.ie.
