Donal Hickey: Open fires are literally breathtaking 

There are regular warnings from environmental and health promotion organisations about dangers of domestic emissions of solid fuel which cause 1,300 deaths per year, according to the EPA. Particulates can cause irritation to lungs, nose and throat and can be particularly harmful to older people

Despite regular appeals to move away from solid fuels, and warnings of the dangers of breathing in particulates (tiny particles of dust), we love the warmth, comfort and relaxing effect of the open fire, be it coal, turf, or wood.

With long evenings and winter upon us, there’s a noticeable increase in the amount of smoke billowing from chimneys. On calm nights, you might even feel it in your nostrils and mouth.

A walk around suburban housing districts, especially in low-lying areas, is almost certain to provoke reaction from the senses, with smog sometimes forming on windless evenings.