Four lives a year could be saved in Co. Roscommon if authorities adopt international guidelines on air pollution.
That's according to a new report carried out by Irish Heart Foundation, Queens University and TU Dublin.
In Roscommon, the data shows that 23 premature deaths a year are linked to dirty air
The World Health Organisation recommends air quality guideline levels for harmful particulate matter, largely caused by the burning of solid fuels, of 5 micrograms per cubic metre - but the level in Roscommon is 6.2 micrograms.
Meanwhile the report found a further four lives could be save in Longford and two Leitrim.
Mark Murphy from the Irish Heart Foundation says an over reliance on solid fuels is having an impact.
""When people think of air pollution, they think of their lungs, the environment. Air pollution has a much bigger impact on your heart. It can lead to premature death from circulatory diseases and stroke. The biggest contributor on this island is our use and over reliance on solid fuels. So we know many houses around Ireland are still reliant on solid fuels such as coal, wood, and sod turf and it's these forms of home heating that are contributing to this kind of air pollution".
