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Environment and Health
125
Levels of PM
10
and PM
2.5
,
particulate matter with diameters
less than 10 micrometres (μm) and
2.5 μm respectively, are also of
concern due to the ability of these
small particles to penetrate deep
into the respiratory tract. In smaller
towns, emissions from residential
burning of solid fuel are the main
source of particulate matter, while
in cities traffic emissions dominate.
As seen in Chapter 3, the bituminous
coal ban led to a significant drop in
cardiovascular and respiratory deaths
since its introduction in Dublin in
1990. This decrease clearly shows
the link between outdoor air quality
and human health. The ban has since
been extended to other cities and
large towns. Figure 9.5 shows the
areas where the sale of bituminous
coal is restricted. Switching from
solid fuel to gas or other low-
emission fuels effectively reduces
domestic emissions of pollution.
Increased access to the gas network
would improve air quality across the
country. Where solid fuel is used,
it is important that it be burned
efficiently; for example, in a modern,
serviced stove rather than an open
fire. Only suitable fuels should be
used; burning of treated wood
(e.g. MDF, chipboard) and household
waste emits harmful pollutants and
is illegal.
Indoor Air Quality
There are many sources of indoor
air pollution in any building. These
include:
n
combustion sources such as oil,
gas, kerosene, coal, peat, wood
and tobacco products
n
building materials and furnishings
such as deteriorated, asbestos-
containing insulation, wet or
damp carpet, and cabinetry or
furniture made of certain pressed
wood products
n
products for household cleaning
and maintenance, personal care,
or hobbies
n
illegal burning of household
waste in domestic fires.
The pollutants in indoor air of most
concern from a health perspective
are particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene,
naphthalene, PAHs, nitrogen
dioxide, trichloroethylene and
tetrachloroethylene. Radon gas in
buildings also poses a significant
threat to human health in some
areas of the country and is discussed
in the following section.
On a global scale the risks to health
from polluted indoor air are high,
with young children and older people
the most vulnerable to this form of
pollution as they spend most or all of
the time indoors. The WHO estimates
that nearly 2 million people die
prematurely from illness attributable
to poor indoor air quality arising from
household solid fuel use each year
(WHO, 2011). The biggest problems
are seen in parts of the world where
cooking is performed on open fires,
but indoor air pollution is also an
important health risk factor in high-
income countries. For example, in
Ireland, carbon monoxide poisoning
in the home, caused by house fires,
faulty heating or flue systems, is
estimated to result in approximately
40 fatalities each year (Crowley et
al., 2003). Preliminary results from
Figure 9.5
Smoky Coal Ban Areas (Source: EPA)
Dublin
Ennis
Cork
Carlow
Limerick
Galway
Clonmel
Athlone
Waterford
Celbridge
Dundalk
Sligo
Tralee
Arklow
Drogheda
Bray
Wexford
Kilkenny
Leixlip
Naas
Coal Restricted Area
Unrestricted Area
0
40
80
120
20
Km
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