Smoky coal — the dangers

PEOPLE out walking these evenings in areas where the ‘’smoky’’ coal ban does not apply, will know the air is anything but clean.

When the weather is calm, smog can settle over low-lying urban areas and your senses clearly remind you there’s pollution in the atmosphere.

The ban on smoky coal was first introduced in Dublin, in 1990, after severe episodes of winter smog. It proved effective in reducing smoke and sulphur dioxide levels and has since spread to almost 30 other areas.