Every year in Ireland, there are approximately 1,600 premature deaths due to poor air quality.[1] The vast majority of these deaths are due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). According to the WHO (2019), some 68% of outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths were due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke.[2]
Poor air quality continues to damage heart health across Ireland. That is why the Irish Heart Foundation campaigns for measures that will improve air quality and protect the cardiovascular health of every person living in Ireland.
Air pollution is the presence of extremely small particles and gases in the air that can cause harm if breathed in.
The gases and small particles include:
The two main sources of air pollution in Ireland are the burning of solid fuels in households and fossil fuel vehicles such as diesel cars. Burning solid fuels such as dry wood, wet wood, smokeless coal, smoky coal, peat briquettes, and sod turf in open fires or stoves emits high levels of PM, which can significantly harm heart health. Diesel and petrol cars emit high levels of NO2, which can harm lung health.
If you don’t need to light an open fire or stove to heat your home, it’s best to leave it unlit. If possible, try to avoid burning solid fuels in your home.
To help reduce air pollution from fossil fuel vehicles, try to walk, cycle, or take public transportation on all your journeys.
The Irish Heart Foundation has campaigned for several years for better measures to reduce air pollution and protect heart health.
The Irish Heart Foundation developed assets to raise awareness of two key issues.
[1] EPA. (2024). Ireland’s Air Pollutant Emissions. Available here: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/EPA-Air-Pollutant-Report-Final-May24.pdf
[2] WHO. (2024). Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. Available here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
If you are a member of the public and would like to assist in our campaigns for a healthier planet, please contact our Senior Policy Manager Mark Murphy on mmurphy@irishheart.ie
2025-06-20