Dublin Airport uses two complementary monitoring approaches:

• A continuous air quality monitoring station located within the airport campus boundary.

• A network of passive diffusion tube monitoring locations situated within and around the airport.

The continuous monitoring station provides ongoing measurements of a range of pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀ & PM_2.5). Passive monitoring provides monthly average concentrations at a wider range of locations across the airport campus and in surrounding communities.

Dublin Airport's air quality monitoring programme measures a range of pollutants using both continuous and passive monitors. The continuous monitoring station monitors:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx), including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)

• Particulate matter (PM₁₀)

• Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅)

• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)

• Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Ozone (O₃)

The passive monitoring network monitors:

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)

• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)

• Benzene (C₆H₆)

• Ethylbenzene

• Toluene

• Xylene

• Ozone (O₃)

Air quality reports primarily focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅) and benzene (C₆H₆), which are widely used indicators of local air quality and are commonly reported as part of airport air quality monitoring programmes.

Yes. Monitoring results are reviewed against the applicable Irish and European air quality standards. In accordance with Dublin Airport's planning conditions, measurements are undertaken so that pollutant concentrations can be assessed against compliance with the relevant National Air Quality Standards. Monitoring reports may also reference WHO Air Quality Guidelines and future European air quality targets for additional context.

In 2024, the European Union adopted a revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/2881), which introduces more stringent air quality standards and aligns them more closely with WHO recommendations. While the Directive is now in force at EU level, it has not yet been transposed into Irish legislation. EU Member States are required to transpose the Directive by 11 December 2026, with the new air quality limit values applying from 2030. References to these future standards are provided to help illustrate long-term air quality trends and upcoming regulatory requirements.

Data from Dublin Airport's continuous air quality monitoring station has historically been provided to the EPA on a voluntary basis. The Dublin Airport monitoring station is included within the EPA's national air quality monitoring network, with live monitoring data normally displayed on AirQuality.ie .

The existing continuous monitoring equipment at Dublin Airport has reached the end of its operational life (identified in Q1 2026) and is currently being replaced, in consultation with the EPA. As a result, live data from the Dublin Airport monitoring station is temporarily unavailable on AirQuality.ie.

No. To maintain continuity of monitoring during this transition period, we have now sourced a temporary monitoring station while the procurement, installation and commissioning of the new continuous monitoring equipment is completed. While data from this temporary station will not be displayed on AirQuality.ie, it will continue to support Dublin Airport's air quality monitoring and reporting programme.

The passive air quality monitoring programme, which operates at locations within and surrounding the airport, remains fully operational.

Dublin Airport publishes quarterly and annual air quality monitoring reports on this webpage as far back as 2016. These reports include information on monitoring locations, monitoring methods, and air quality results from both the continuous monitoring station and the passive monitoring network.

Ultrafine Particles (UFP) are extremely small particles in the air with a diameter of 0.1 micrometres (µm) or less, about 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. UFP are named as an emerging pollutant in the recently updated Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive

UFP are mainly generated as a result of combustion activities with the World Health Organisation (WHO) outlining some primary sources as “vehicles and other forms of transportation (aviation and shipping), industrial and power plants, and residential heating”.

UFP are not currently included in the regulatory Air Quality Standards or monitored by the national ambient air quality monitoring network. Details of pollutants monitored by the network can be found on the EPA’s airquality.ie website.

Dublin Airport monitors a range of air quality parameters as part of its air quality monitoring program, including particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10. The continuous air quality monitor at Dublin Airport forms part of the national ambient air quality monitoring network managed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Dublin Airport air quality monitoring results, including monitoring locations, are published on the Dublin Airport website. Particulate matter results reported at Dublin Airport are within regulatory limits.

The upcoming 2030 Air Quality Standards outlined in the CAFE Directive do not set a limit value for UFP but the CAFE Directive does introduce upcoming requirements for Member States to begin monitoring UFP in order to support scientific understanding of their effects on human health and the environment.

Exposure to UFP can increase the risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. The WHO has highlighted that exposure to UFP is of concern due to widespread public exposure to emissions from combustion sources.

Dublin Airport is monitoring emerging research on UFP, their health and environmental effects. Dublin Airport will work with regulators on implementation of any new monitoring or other requirements as national guidance and regulation on UFP develops.