New research led by University of Galway has found that burning "low smoke" manufactured fuels release tiny ultrafine particles that are potentially more harmful to human health.  Scientists at the University’s Ryan Institute carried out a series of controlled burn experiments using peat, wood, “low‑smoke” manufactured products, including “low‑smoke” coal - where smoky coal has been prohibited since 2022 - in domestic stoves to understand exactly what different home‑heating fuels release into the air.  The researchers measured the smoke using advanced instruments that track how many particles are produced, how big they are, and what they are made of.  The team also collected real‑world air measurements in Dublin and Birr, Co Offaly over several years, allowing them to compare laboratory results with what people actually breathe during winter pollution episodes. By combining these measurements with statistical fingerprinting techniques and established lung‑deposition models, the researchers identified which fuels contribute most to harmful pollution and how deeply those particles can penetrate into the respiratory system.  The results - observed in a “low smoke” zone in Ireland but relevant across Europe and highly consequential for rapidly transitioning regions such as China and India - show that EU, international and national regulatory frameworks need to respond faster to the growing body of scientific evidence.  The research has been published in Nature Geosciences here.  The study was led by the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, in collaboration with partners from Ireland, China, Australia and the USA. Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Director of the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: "Our study shows that in trying to cut particulate mass, emissions of the tiniest particles have unintentionally been driven up, which may be even more harmful to human health. These ultrafine particles from 'low smoke' fuels penetrate deepest into the lungs, from there to the cardiovascular system, and they can even reach the brain.  “Based on this data, we underscore the need to move away from residential solid fuel burning as part of the wider societal aim to decarbonise the economy by 2050."  The findings also highlight the urgent need to revise EU and International air quality standards to include ultrafine particles, ensuring air quality management strategies reduce mass concentration while not increasing ultrafine particle numbers.   The study demonstrates that replacing smoky fuels with “low-smoke” counterparts results in a two to three-fold increase in ultrafine particle emissions. Considering that the smaller ultrafine particles can penetrate deeper into the lungs and deposit there, this newly documented trend may offset some of the benefits of reducing smoke emissions. Instead of reducing the human exposure to ultrafine particles by reducing the total particulate matter (PM) mass, it results in an increase in the number of ultrafine particles and, potentially, health effects. Study shows that the particle number concentrations are significantly (ten times) underestimated in current air quality models   Air pollution is responsible for several million premature deaths worldwide each year. A major driver behind this alarming statistic is exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5; less than 2.5 µm in diameter). Even in Ireland – often perceived as having clean air – PM2.5 pollution is linked to more than 1,700 premature deaths annually. Compared to PM2.5, ultrafine particles (less than 100 nm in diameter) induce more severe pulmonary inflammation and exhibit prolonged lung retention due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, even crossing the bloodbrain barrier. Their toxicity increases with decreasing size, larger specific surface area, surface-bound constituents, and inherent physical properties.  Despite the health burden of ultrafine particles being increasingly recognised in European policy with the recently revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (EU 2024/2881), which for the first time introduces mandatory monitoring of ultrafine particles across Member States. This study adds to the body of evidence that the directive needs to go even further and define binding regulatory limit values for ultrafine particles.  The Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies at University of Galway provides evidence to national and EU policymakers, supporting the development of air‑quality standards, emission‑reduction strategies, and climate‑action planning. Its work underpins Ireland’s capacity to meet emerging regulatory requirements, including the new EU obligations for ultrafine particle monitoring.  The research was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland.  Ends

University of Galway has welcomed the award of Government funding to progress the development of a new School of Medicine Building and support the expansion of healthcare education.  The investment was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., as part of a €75million capital programme which is being made available through the Healthcare Education Activation Programme (HEAP) under Project Ireland 2040.  The Government funding supports the building of the new School of Medicine Building at University of Galway, as well as a new Masters in Pharmacy programme, which is in its first year, and a new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Connected Health) degree which is due to commence in September 2027.  The University’s new School of Medicine Building is to be built on the south campus, a short distance from the Quadrangle, where it will join the Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance.  The new building development complements the expansion of healthcare courses at University of Galway - the five-year MPharm, which commenced in September 2025 and will offer 75 student places at full roll-out, and the new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Connected Health) programme which is due to begin in September 2027 to address critical medical workforce deficits, with 48 places available for students at full roll-out.  Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “Government funding for University of Galway to expand of healthcare education and state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities is a strong acknowledgement of the role which our institution plays both regionally and nationally. I would like to thank Minister Lawless, the Department and the Higher Education Authority for the support. This investment in University of Galway ensures we are primed to play a critical role in the development of the next generation of healthcare specialists and leaders.”   Dr Martina Ni Chúlain, Director of Strategic Development at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “With investment of this nature and our planned developments in healthcare teaching and learning at University of Galway, we are turning our strategy into action. This new medical school building strengthens our established position as a national and international leader in medical education and research, further advancing the student experience, the excellence of our academics and researchers and delivering meaningful benefits for our region, for patients and for the wider health sector.”  Professor Robert Scully, Programme Director of the new Graduate Entry Medicine, said: “This new facility represents a transformative investment in the future of medicine and health sciences at the University of Galway. Designed as a vibrant, co-located hub for interdisciplinary learning and discovery, it enables us to deliver medical and healthcare education through cutting-edge, technology-enabled teaching practices and redefines how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.”   Professor Laurence Egan, Head of the School of Medicine at University of Galway, said: “The new School of Medicine Building will not only transform how we teach and learn, but also strengthen the way we collaborate across disciplines and engage with our healthcare partners. It will foster a model of medical education that champions innovation, teamwork, and a deep connection to the evolving healthcare needs of our region and beyond.” The University secured planning approval for the development of the new School of Medicine Building last September. The building design runs over four storeys, covering approximately 3,925sq metres, and is integrated, via a glazed atrium link, with the existing Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance.  It will offer state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, including tutorial, seminar and meeting rooms, study spaces and collaboration areas, advanced research laboratories and administration offices.  As part of the University’s broader sustainability goals, the design includes plant systems and solar PV panels to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Ends

Public events held on themes of remembrance, culture and debate  University of Galway has marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a series of public events on campus bringing together remembrance, film, literature, art and political reflection. The special anniversary programme was organised as part of the University’s involvement in the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, an international initiative coordinated by the office of the President of Ukraine. The events took place on Monday February 23rd and Tuesday February 24th, opening with a special screening of the Sundance Film Festival award winning documentary 2000 Meters to Andriivka.  The programme also saw the unveiling of the Ukraine Shelf, a dedicated collection of Ukrainian literature and scholarship in the University of Galway Library.  Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Becky Whay, said: “Our anniversary programme reflects University of Galway’s commitment to global citizenship and responsibilities as a public university, examining the human, cultural and environmental costs of the war, and the role of memory, language and creativity in resisting erasure.”  Associate Professor Tom Felle, who leads University of Galway’s involvement in the Coalition, said: “University of Galway is one of only two Irish universities in the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, a network of globally recognised institutions advancing teaching, research and public engagement on Ukraine. Our events mark four years on since the full-scale invasion by Russia and demonstrate our commitment to deepening ties with Ukraine at an academic and community level.”  Full details of the anniversary programme: Monday February 23rd at 5.30pm: A special screening of 2000 Meters to Andriivka THB-G011 (Hardiman Research Building) followed by a discussion.  Tuesday February 24th at 11.30am: Service of Hope With Ukraine in the Chapel of St Columbanus, led jointly by Fr Ben Hughes in English and Fr Dmytro Hutnyk in Ukrainian.  Following that, at midday, Words That Remain will feature readings from contemporary Ukrainian poets and writers writing during the war.  Tuesday February 24th at 12:45pm: Launch of the University’s Ukraine Shelf, a dedicated collection of Ukrainian literature and scholarship in the University of Galway Library.   Following that, in THB-G011 (Hardiman Research Building), a panel discussion Resilient Ukraine: Land, Voices and Art will examine how Ukrainians continue to assert identity, culture and survival under conditions of invasion and displacement. It includes contributions from Dr Brendan Flynn, School of Political Science and Sociology and the Ryan Institute, speaking on land, nature and memory in Ukraine’s war for survival, drawing connections with Ireland’s own history of land, dispossession and resistance; journalist and writer Natalya Korniyenko, co-founder of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Ireland, reflecting on the ethical role of writing in wartime, based on her work with Ukrainian writers, poets and journalists currently working on the frontline; and Tetiana Vysotska, PhD student at the University of Galway, art therapist, poet, artist and filmmaker, speaking about art as voice and advocacy, drawing on her work with displaced children and adults and the role of creative practice in mental health, recognition and care.  Tuesday February 24th, 4pm: Public screening of the first feature film about the Russian invasion of Ukraine People. The screening is intended for an English-speaking audience. The film is a powerful, honest and deeply human story about five women’s survival after war was visited on them in their homes, cities and destinies. The film is a tribute to the unseen victims.  Ends