Banning Smoky Coal and Its Effect On Air Quality

A smoky chimney

Chimney in the Dublin 6 area featuring rounded cowls to prevent birds making nests.

Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

A smoky chimney
Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

A smoky chimney

Chimney in the Dublin 6 area featuring rounded cowls to prevent birds making nests.

Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

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Burning of fossil fuels such as coal is a major factor in air pollution. The sale of Bituminous (smoky) coal was banned in parts of Ireland in the early 1990's in an effort to address this issue. 'Winter smog' was a growing problem in urban areas at the time, due to the widespread use of bituminous coal, and this, in turn, had given rise to serious health effects in the population.

In the Dublin area the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal was prohibited. Smoke and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels showed considerable improvement once the ban was introduced and the policy was gradually rolled out over several other large towns and cities. The ban on bituminous coal was introduced under the Air Pollution Act 1987 and a number of ammendments to the 1998 Regulations allowed this ban to be extended to other areas.

The ban took effect in Dublin from 1990, Cork from 1995, Arklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick and Wexford from 1998, Celbridge, Galway, Leixlip, Naas and Waterford from 2000, Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee from 2003.

On 1st August 2011, the ban was also extended to the towns of Athlone, Arklow, Clonmel and Ennis.

Voluntary Agreement

A Voluntary Agreement between The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Solid Fuel Trade Group Ltd (SFTG) was first agreed in 2002. This sets a limit of sulphur content of bituminous coal to no more than 0.7% and the Regulations 2011 places this limit on a statutory footing. This measure will help to protect human health and the environment by reducing air pollution, particularly in the winter months.

In order to support its effective implementation, all coal bagging operators and fuel suppliers for the residential market must register with the EPA. They must also maintain a record of their product showing that it is compliant with the Regulations.

Fines are also in place for anybody that breaches these Regulations under the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011.

The effects

The ban on smoky coal has greatly reduced levels of Particulate Matter (PM10) in major towns and cities. Black smoke decreased significantly in Dublin after the ban in 1990, in Cork in 1995 and in Limerick 1998. A 70% reduction in the average smoke levels in winter in Dublin was achieved since October 1990. The burning of bituminous coal by households in open fires is now banned in all Irish cities and many towns.