An independent community group in Ennis have teamed up with Dublin researchers on an EU-wide citizen-science project to identify actions to limit air pollution in the county town.

Better Ennis have criticised the “poor air quality” in the county capital as they appeal for volunteers to get involved with the new project. “The air pollution has regularly exceeded by multiple times the accepted WHO recommended limits,” a spokesperson for the group outlined.

Advocating for “healthy and happy streets” are an objective of Better Ennis, they are now collaborating with researches in Dublin including Francesco Pilla, who is an Associate Professor for Smart Cities and Urban Innovation in UCD on an EU-wide citizen-science project called WeCount which will help collect data on traffic to help inform what actions can be taken on air pollution.

The project will use measuring devices to monitor the traffic to interested personnel, the devices will need to be located in an upstairs window with a clear view of the street, with a power and Wifi connection. For information on how to register, visit https://telraam.net/en/membership/dublin.

Burning of solid fuels and traffic emissions are identified as the two main sources of air pollution in Ireland. Better Ennis is appealing to Ennis merchants and residents to avoid selling and buying smoky coal and to reduce the number of home fires if households have an alternative heat source. They are also asking Ennis residents to help reduce traffic emissions by walking or cycling on short trips in town if possible.