The reports say that levels of ozone were higher than normal last year particularly in July because of a combination of hot, sunny weather Overall air pollution was highest in small towns that have not yet banned smoky fuels, and the EPA says that traffic and non-smokeless coal are the two main causes of air pollution in Ireland, particularly in urban areas.

Overall air quality remained good according to the report but there was concern about the levels of nitrogen dioxide — mainly caused by heavy traffic in built-up areas and ozone, which is formed by a combination of hot conditions and pollution.

Smoky fuels have been banned in Cork city since 1995, Dublin since 1990, Arklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick and Wexford since 1998, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas, Newbridge and Waterford since 2000 and Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee and since 2003.

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