Cold snap resulting in more fires being lit at home – and air quality is suffering

Link between lighting the fire in the sitting room on a cold evening and poor air quality outside is still being missed by many, expert warns

'Wood is sold as a renewable, good source of fuel but is even worse than coal because it produces more particles. It's not healthy.'

The link between lighting the fire in the sitting room on a cold evening and poor air quality outside is still being missed by many, one of Ireland's foremost experts on air quality has warned.

Professor emeritus of chemistry at UCC John Sodeau said the recent cold snap has led to smoke-filled evenings in the air all across the country.