Air Quality Monitoring in Roscommon

Roscommon County Council in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has installed an air quality monitor in Roscommon Town to provide live indicative air quality data to the public. The monitor measures particulate matter (PM) which is commonly used as an indicator of dust particles in air, including total suspended particulates, PM10 and PM2.5.

PM10 is particulate matter 10 microns or less in diameter, PM2.5 is particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM2.5 is generally described as fine particulates. As a comparison, the width of a human hair is around 100 microns so approximately 40 (PM2.5) fine particles will fit along its width.

The particulate matter indices that are of primary concern for human health are PM10 and PM2.5. This is the sub-fraction of particles which can penetrate into the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.

The EPA is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality and together with local authorities has a network of  monitoring station through the country and information on air quality is hosted by the EPA on the Air Quality web site www.airquality.ie

Roscommon Town Air Quality Station

Ballinsloe Air Quality Station

Carrick-on-Shannon Air Quality Station

Athlone Air Quality Station