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.

What is air pollution?

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:

• Gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Particulate matter (PM), made up of particles such as soot and dust. These tiny particles are the most health-harming pollutant.

What are the sources of air pollution?

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.

How do I reduce my exposure to air pollution?

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.

What is the Irish Heart Foundation doing to reduce air pollution?

The Irish Heart Foundation has campaigned for several years for better measures to reduce air pollution and protect heart health.

• We campaigned for the introduction of the Solid Fuel Regulations, which removed the most health-harming solid fuels from the market.
• We work closely with the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland for better air quality across the island of Ireland, including launching a joint report entitled Air Pollution on the island of Ireland.
• We were the founding members of the Climate and Health Alliance.
• We developed a range of communication assets to raise awareness of Solid Fuel Burning and Vehicle Idling.

Raising awareness

The Irish Heart Foundation developed assets to raise awareness of two key issues.

• The burning of solid fuels and the impact it has on health.
• Raising awareness of the health impact of vehicle engine idling.

[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

  You can explore the range of assets and download them here:    

How can you help in our mission?

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