A study has found high levels of air pollution across Dublin’s inner city, with ten hotspots identified.
The data was collected using electric Google Street View cars equipped with air sensors.
The research by UCD and DCU used 12 months of data up to May 2022 from the Google Air View project to look at air pollution in the city centre.
It found high levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, with especially high concentrations on Cork Street, along the Quays, on O’Connell Street and in the area around Temple Bar.
The levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines on almost half the days monitored.
Poor air quality has been linked with a rise in asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease and heart failure.
Researchers say it highlights the potential for a mobile monitoring approach to investigate the hyperlocal distribution of air pollutants in Dublin.
