Smoky Coal Ban will Improve Air Quality
10th July 2012 - Andrew Doyle TD
I welcome Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan’s announcement that the smoky coal ban is to be extended to two Wicklow towns from 2013.
The ban is to be extended to Greystones and Wicklow town from the 1st of May 2013. A ban on the burning of the fuel is also being introduced, in addition the existing ban on marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal.
Towns around the country have been included because they have a population of 15,000 or more this includes Greystones. Wicklow Town has been included at the request of the Wicklow County Council and local representatives because of a build-up of smog in the town during the winter months.
The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal was introduced in Dublin in 1990 to deal with winter smog and applies to 20 cities and towns. A study estimated that the Dublin restriction resulted in some 350 fewer deaths each year.
‘This study illustrates the effectiveness of this ban in improving air quality that has immediate benefits for the public by the cleansing of the air and thus improving the publics overall health. The local environment in Co. Wicklow will also benefit greatly from this ban.
‘I believe this ban provides a win win situation for Co. Wicklow- it ensures the future air quality, protects the local environment and reduces health risks from burning smoky coal for local people. ‘
The ban is to be extended to Greystones and Wicklow town from the 1st of May 2013. A ban on the burning of the fuel is also being introduced, in addition the existing ban on marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal.
Towns around the country have been included because they have a population of 15,000 or more this includes Greystones. Wicklow Town has been included at the request of the Wicklow County Council and local representatives because of a build-up of smog in the town during the winter months.
The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal was introduced in Dublin in 1990 to deal with winter smog and applies to 20 cities and towns. A study estimated that the Dublin restriction resulted in some 350 fewer deaths each year.
‘This study illustrates the effectiveness of this ban in improving air quality that has immediate benefits for the public by the cleansing of the air and thus improving the publics overall health. The local environment in Co. Wicklow will also benefit greatly from this ban.
‘I believe this ban provides a win win situation for Co. Wicklow- it ensures the future air quality, protects the local environment and reduces health risks from burning smoky coal for local people. ‘
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