All-island smokey coal ban could save 2,000 lives, says society

Almost 2,000 lives could be saved every year with an all-island smokey coal ban, the Asthma Society of Ireland has claimed.

A survey of its members has found one in five had an asthma attack triggered by smoke from a coal fire.

The society points out that more than 8,200 lives had been saved since the Dublin smokey coal ban was introduced 14 years ago.

The figure is based on a study published in The Lancet in 2002, that looked at death rates in the six years prior to the coal ban and six years after it.

Deaths from respiratory diseases decreased around 15% while deaths from cardiovascular disease fell by around 10% — equivalent to 116 fewer respiratory deaths and 243 fewer cardiovascular deaths every year after the ban.

GP and a member of the society’s medical advisory group, Dr Dermot Nolan, said many urban areas of Ireland were now covered by a smokey coal ban but were difficult to police.

“I see the effects of smokey coal on the most vulnerable in society on a daily basis, particularly patients with chronic lung diseases, such as asthma. With the implementation of an all-island ban, we estimate 2,000 lives would be saved each year.”

The society has launched a campaign for clean air and is appealing to householders to be a lifesaver and burn smokeless coal or an alternative clean fuel to reduce asthma symptoms and save lives.

Last May, environmentalist and broadcaster, Duncan Stewart, said smokey fuel was one of the biggest threats to public health.

Mr Stewart said there was no excuse for delaying ban on smokey coal.

He was responding to Environment Minister, Phil Hogan’s announcement that a joint north-south study on the quality of air throughout the island.

At the time, Mr Hogan said a unilateral ban on smokey coal in the Republic could result in cross-border smuggling.

“I hope over a three-year period we will reach a stage where we will have a ban on smokey coal. I think that is sufficient time for people to adjust the alternatives,” he said.

According to the Asthma Society, Ireland has the 4th highest prevalence of asthma worldwide, with 470,000 people affected.

The society’s advocacy and information coordinator, Niamh Kelly, said she was hopeful that a report on the north-south study would be published in the autumn. Ms Kelly said the Government had aresponsibility to eliminate dangerous pollutants in the air that trigger and exacerbate asthma.

Asthma patient Mary Hyland, who lives in Sligo, said she finished two triathlons this year and considered herself a fit person. However, in February 2012, after signing up for a local ‘Couch to 5k’ training programme, she found her asthma got worse while training and ended up with a bad chest infection.

“Smoke from home fires was affecting my asthma. During the summer, my symptoms went away, but in the autumn, they returned again.”