Launch of the FAIR air quality project
Launch of the FAIR air quality project at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street
June 2, 2023
News
All children have the right to breathe clean air.
2nd June 2023
A new pilot project launched today, Friday 2nd June, ahead of World Environment Day (Monday 5th June), at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street is highlighting the part we all have to play in improving the quality of the air our children breathe. Children are particularly at risk from air pollution because they breathe faster and are closer to the ground where pollution from vehicles hangs. Air pollution can have short and long term effects on children’s health. Some people, including healthy people, may feel a sore throat, dry eyes, headaches, shortness of breath, or nausea, caused by air pollution. Air pollution can trigger an asthma attack.
The FAIR project is a fun, short animated air quality information video in addition to displaying local air quality on Information screens in CHI at Temple Street. The video explains the importance of clean air for good health. We can all take steps to improve the quality of the air we breathe by tracking our local air quality, avoiding busy roads at peak traffic, exercising when air quality is good and not burning solid fuels in our homes. Remember that every time you walk, cycle or scoot instead of drive you are helping to improve your local air quality (but don’t forget your helmet!).
Dr Sandra Green, Respiratory Specialist Registrar, Irish Doctors for the Environment welcomed the project:
“This FAIR Air Quality project sends a clear message that air quality is important for good health for everyone, especially for our children. People who breathe cleaner air live longer, healthier lives. Cleaner air means healthier people and a cooler planet. Knowledge is power, and I hope our patients and their parents will find this information helpful at CHI at Temple Street."
Following the recent publication of the Clean Air Strategy, it is clear that Ireland needs to take steps to improve our air quality in line with WHO standards. Some examples include making it easier to choose walking or cycling and ensuring that all homes in Ireland do not have to rely on burning solid fuels like coal or wood.
Eilísh Hardiman, Chief Executive, Children’s Health Ireland said:
“Looking to the future, we want to improve the air quality in and around our children’s hospitals and at the new children’s hospital. This means raising awareness of the effects of air pollution on health, particularly for children and young people. It also means having a range of reliable, affordable and clean public transport options and encouraging all other sustainable modes of travel whether by bike, e-bike, walking or a blended commute. In keeping with our Green Promise commitment, the new children’s hospital is designed to meet BREEAM international accreditation that recognises best in class green building strategies and practices throughout design, build and lifetime operation.”
The FAIR project is a collaboration between Children’s Health Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, Irish Doctors for the Environment, the Spark Innovation Programme, the Health Service Executive, Asthma Ireland and the Irish Thoracic Society, and is part-funded by the EU LIFE Programme under the LIFE Emerald project.END The FAIR project is a collaboration between Children’s Health Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, Irish Doctors for the Environment, the Spark Innovation Programme, the Health Service Executive, Asthma Ireland and the Irish Thoracic Society, and is part-funded by the EU LIFE Programme under the LIFE Emerald project.
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Issued by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI)