The Trim Project was originally funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Digital Innovation Programme in the amount of €163,518. Meath County Council co-funded an additional 20%.
This funding allowed us to deliver the Meath Environment Platform, a custom open source web application which stores and displays air quality sensor data and integrates with Trilateral’s STRIAD:AIR platform to show in-depth insights on trends and health. The Meath Environment Platform has the capability to provide in-depth insights on trends and health in expanded locations throughout Co. Meath. Specifically, the Platform can be extended to provide data on air-quality in each of Co. Meath’s nine decarbonising zones, that have been identified in the county’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.
We are currently monitoring air quality at a local scale in Trim with Earthsense Zephyr air quality monitors located at two sites: Market Street (in the town centre) and Patrick Street (close to several schools). We monitor all key EPA pollutants used to calculate the Air Quality Index for Health, but our focus in communication has been on fine particles (PM2.5), due to its well-understood harm and links to both traffic and solid fuel use, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to its effects on child health and its close relationship with vehicle use.
Air quality data is disseminated to local stakeholders using the platform. This includes comparisons with the nearby reference monitor in Navan, information about trends (showing concentrations on weekdays vs weekends, for example), sensor uptime statistics and our full range of health impact modelling.
Beyond the platform itself, we’ve shared information about the project at a range of workshops and school events in Trim, with six classes taking part in engagement sessions and two public meetings to raise awareness of the project’s goals.