09/04/2013

Air Quality Blamed For Over 3,000 Premature Deaths

Poor air quality contributes to 3,400 premature deaths in Ireland annually, with pollution from diesel cars, buses and trucks largely to blame, An Taisce has said.

The heritage body has written to Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan and Minister for Health James Reilly saying that Ireland loses up to €6.3bn a year due to days lost in work and education, as well as the direct health costs.

An Taisce is urging the ministers to work to reform EU law on air pollution.

They claim traffic in Ireland was the main cause of the poor air quality problem and say the focus needs to be put on reducing pollution from diesel cars, buses and trucks.

(H/CD)


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