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Environment

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SDG 3.9.1 Mortality Rate Attributed to Household and Ambient Air Pollution.  These data are classified as Tier 2 in the Tier Classification for Global SDG Indicators (See Background Notes), as they are not regularly produced by countries.  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported an European Environment Agency (EEA) figure of in excess of 1,100 premature deaths per year in the Republic of Ireland caused by respiratory diseases, strokes and heart disease, due to poor air quality.  Information on air quality by region is published in the EPA ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2018’ Report.

Please be advised that the figures quoted by the EEA are relevant only to ambient air and do not include indoor (household) air; that is covered in other, sometimes more region wide figures.  Further information is available on the EPA website on Indoor Air Polution and Health (IAPAH).

The EEA publishes estimates for premature mortality related to air pollution, focusing on particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3).

In Ireland, the premature deaths attributed to PM2.5, NO2 and O3 exposure are 1,100,d 30, respectively, in 2016.  In the EU‑28, the premature deaths attributed to PM2.5, NO2 and O3 exposure are 374,000, 68,000, and 14 000, respectively, in 2016.  See Table 5.1 and Figure 5.1.

The EPA monitors two types of Particulate matter (PM) and compares levels to limit values in the Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive and WHO guidelines. 

These are PM10 and PM2.5.

PM10 means that the particulate matter is 10 microns or less in diameter.

PM2.5 signifies that it is particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter.

Both nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gases are pollutants that are emitted in ambient air when petrol or diesel is burned in internal combustion engines.

NO2 is more important from an ambient air quality perspective due to its increased impact on health.

Ground level ozone is a pollutant formed in urban areas by car exhaust emissions undergoing chemical reactions in sunny weather. Normally ozone is a transboundary pollution in Ireland, carried in an air mass across the sea from mainland Europe.  See Table 5.1 and Figure 5.1.

5.1 - SDG 3.9.1 Premature Deaths Attributable to PM2.5, NO2 and O3 Exposure

SDG 3.9.1 Premature Deaths Attributable to PM2.5, NO2 and O3 Exposure, 2016
Ozone (O3)30
Nitrogen Oxide (NO2)50
Particulate Matter (PM2.5)1100
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SDG 3.9.2 Mortality Rate Attributed to Unsafe Water, Unsafe Sanitation and Lack of Hygiene.  These data are classified as Tier 2 in the Tier Classification for Global SDG Indicators (See Background Notes), as they are not regularly produced by countries.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from modelling international data sources, the mortality rate from unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene was very low at 0.1 per 1,000 population in Ireland in 2016.  See Table 5.2.

Cholera and Typhoid are two diseases associated with unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.  There are no reported deaths due to Cholera and Typhoid in Ireland according to CSO's Vital Statistics.

5.2 - SDG 3.9.2 Mortality Rate Attributed to Unsafe Water, Unsafe Sanitation and Lack of Hygiene

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SDG 3.9.3 Mortality Rate Attributed to Unintentional Poisoning, was published by CSO, Vital Statistics.

There were 274 deaths from unintentional poisoning in 2018, which gave a rate of 5.8 per 100,000 population.  Seven in ten deaths from unintentional poisoning were males.  Nearly half of all the deaths from unintentional poisoning were aged 25-44 years.  See Table 5.3 and Figure 5.2.

5.3 - SDG 3.9.3 Deaths Attributed to Unintentional Poisoning by Age Group

SDG 3.9.3 Deaths Attributed to Unintentional Poisoning by Age Group, 2018
65+ years9.85401459854015
45-64
years
36.1313868613139
25-44
years
49.2700729927007
15-24 years4.37956204379562
0-14 years0.364963503649635

Deaths in category 'X44 Accidental Poisoning by and Exposure to Other and Unspecified Drugs, Medicaments and Biological Substances', accounted for 43% (102 persons) of all deaths attributed to unintentional poisoning.  This rate was similar for males and females.  Category 'X45 Accidental Poisoning by and Exposure to Alcohol', accounted for 30% (70 persons) of unintentional poisoning deaths.  The rate in this category was 27% for males and 34% for females, respectively.  See Table 5.4.

5.4 - SDG 3.9.3 Deaths Attributed to Unintentional Poisoning by Category

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