Dublin air quality 'threatened by car emissions'

Air quality in Dublin is being threatened by the use of cars in the city, with any benefits from fuel improvements offset by the volume of vehicles on the road, new research has shown.

RTE reported that the Air Quality Management Plan covering the four local authorities in Dublin suggested that levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide may be reaching dangerous levels and breaching safety regulations.

It found that the number of car users across Ireland doubled from 1990 to 2006 and stated the best ways of reversing this trend in worsening air quality is to concentrate on utilising public transport, promoting fuel-efficient cars and easing traffic congestion.

The news provider did highlight some positive news in the report, which is that the ban on bituminous coal burning in Dublin may have saved as many as 359 people's lives annually over the previous 19 years.

A document recently published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders found that the number of cars on the road in Britain fell for the first time since World War Two at the end of last year.