Air Quality

Air Pollution

Section 4 of the Air Pollution Act, 1987 defines Air Pollution as follows “a condition of the atmosphere in which a pollutant is present in such a quantity as to be liable to— (i) be injurious to public health, or
(ii) have a deleterious effect on flora or fauna or damage property, or
(iii) impair or interfere with amenities or with the environment.”
Local Authorities have various powers under this Act including the issuing of notices under Sections 26 & 27 requiring measures to be taken to prevent or limit air pollution.

Leitrim County Council is responsible for dealing with issues of air pollution and odour nuisance within the county, which may include any of the following:

• Illegal burning of waste.
• Odour Nuisance.
• Emissions from industry or commercial activities.

If you wish to make a complaint about air pollution or odour nuisance, we advise you to keep a detailed log of the nuisance that you are experiencing and include the date, time, location and weather conditions (including wind direction).

Further information on making an Environmental Complaint is available on How To Make An Environmental Complaint

Solvent Regulations

Organic solvents are used in many activities and industrial processes, these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have harmful detrimental effects on human health and on the environment.

The Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (known as the Solvents Regulations, S.I. No. 543 of 2002) were introduced in November 2002 to limit such VOC emissions and to combat these harmful effects.

These Regulations require Irish businesses which use solvents as part of their operations, to determine if the regulations apply to them, and if so, to obtain a Certificate of Compliance annually. The sectors listed below come under the remit of these regulations:

 • Printing
 • Surface cleaning
 • Original Vehicle coating and refinishing
 • Coil coating
 • Other coating (metal, plastic, textile, fabric, film, paper)
 • Winding wire coating
 • Coating wooden surfaces, leather
 • Dry cleaning
 • Wood impregnation
 • Footwear manufacture
 • Adhesive coating
 • Manufacture of coating preparations, varnishes, inks, adhesives
 • Rubber conversion
 • Vegetable oil and animal fat extraction and vegetable oil refining
 • Manufacture of pharmaceutical products.

 Deco-Paint Regulations

S.I. No. 199 of 2007 is The Limitation of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds due to the Use of Organic Solvents in Certain Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations (referred to as the Deco Paints Regulations).

The sectors which fall under these regulations are as follows:

·        Vehicle Repair & Recoating

·        Manufacturers, Distributors and Retailers of Paint Products

Compliance Requirements

The onus is on Solvent Users to determine if the regulations apply to their operation. This will depend on your sector and how much solvent you consume in any year.

Compliance then involves:

• Registering with the Local Authority.
• Obtaining a Certificate of  Approval (yearly under Solvent Regulations) and (every two years under DecoPaint Regulations).
• Compliance with the conditions of the Certificate of Compliance.

Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC)

A system known as the Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC) System, together with the IPPC system for larger facilities operated by the EPA, will be used to implement these Regulations. Obligated facilities are required to have an AIC review their operations and obtain a compliant AIC report prior to applying for a Certificate of Approval from the Local Authority. The AIC report will set out whether or not your operation complies with the requirements of the regulations. Furthermore the report will identify problem areas in terms of non-compliance with the regulations and make appropriate recommendations to bring about full compliance. Certificate of Approval must be obtained on an annual basis for premises under the Solvent Regulations and every two years for premises under the Deco Paint Regulations.

The solvent user may choose their method of compliance by one of two options, (a) Reduction Scheme or (b) Emission Limit Values. The AIC Report will stipulate the finer detail of the chosen method and make incremental recommendations for achieving compliance. A Reduction Scheme involves provision of a Solvent Management Plan while Emission Limit Values involves provision of abatement equipment and monitoring emissions either periodically or continually depending on the volume of emission.

Certificate of Approval

An AIC Report demonstrating compliance with the regulations must be submitted to Leitrim County Council, together with the completed registration form and a fee of €50. On the basis of this documentation Leitrim County Council will decide to issue or to refuse to issue a Certificate of Approval with/ without Conditions within 14 days of receipt of the AIC report.  It is an offence for a Solvent User to operate in the absence of a Certificate of Approval. 

Application for Certificate of Approval/Renewal of Certificate of Approval.doc (size 43.5 KB)

Local Authority Enforcement of the Regulations

Due to the low level of compliance across the County, as of 2011 Leitrim County Council will actively enforce the Solvent and Deco-Paint Regulations. Certificates of Approval for solvent-using activities are mandatory.  It is intended to level the playing field for all operators and ensure compliance with the provisions of the regulations across the county. Enforcement will consist of notifications and inspections of business premises where solvents are in use. Operators to whom these regulations apply will be notified of their requirement to comply, they will be requested to register with the Local Authority and undertake an AIC Review. After which they will be required to apply for a Certificate of Approval from the Local Authority and to implement the conditions of their Certificate. Finally the timely renewal of Certificates of Approvals is a further responsibility of the applicant.

 Penalties

It is illegal to operate a business that comes under the Regulations, without a Certificate of Approval. Any individual who fails to comply with or contravenes these regulations may be prosecuted summarily, and be liable to a fine not exceeding €3000 or up to 12 months imprisonment, or both.

Queries

If you have any queries in relation to the Solvent or Deco Paint Regulations please contact the Environment Section, Leitrim County Council at 071 96 20005 ext 217.

For Further Information:

Best Practice Guidelines for Vehicle Refinishing for Repair Installations.pdf (size 231.7 KB)

EPA website contains general guidance on the requirements of the Solvent Regulations. Best practice guidance is also provided for Vehicle Coating & Refinishing sector and Surface Cleaning using solvents.

All guidance prepared by the EPA may be viewed on the EPA website

http://www.epa.ie

Dept of the Environment website

http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/VolatileOrganicCompounds/

INAB List of Approved AIC http://www.inab.ie/directoryofaccreditedbodies/inspectionbodiesaccreditedinspectioncontractorsaics

Register of Certified Operators under Solvent Regulations

Register of Certified Operators under Deco-Paint Regulations