A number of lives a year could be saved in the North West if authorities on both sides of the Border adopt international guidelines on air pollution, a new report claims.
The major all-island assessment reveals that around 2,600 premature deaths can be attributed to air pollution – 1,700 in the Republic and 900 in Northern Ireland – annually.
The report claims that five lives a year could be saved in Co Sligo.
In Sligo, the data shows that 24 premature deaths a year are linked to dirty air – with 10 people in the county dying from heart disease as a result of air pollution.
Two lives a year could be saved in Co Leitrim with the data showing that 13 premature deaths a year are linked to dirty air – with six people in Leitrim dying from heart disease as a result of air pollution.
The World Health Organisation recommends air quality guideline levels for harmful particulate matter, largely caused by the burning of solid fuels, of 5 micrograms per cubic metre - but the level in Sligo is 6.5 micrograms while in Leitrim its 6.2.
