Cork households warned not to buy high smoke coal largely sourced illegally from Northern Ireland

Cork County Council has warned homeowners not use use high smoke coal sourced illegally from Northern Ireland and other areas outside of Cork.

The warning has been issued as part of a wider message asking homeowners to consider the implications of solid fuel use on air quality in Cork.

The council claims that some householders are sourcing bituminous (high smoke) coal from outside Cork, particularly Northern Ireland. And in a message released this week, the council goes on to say: “Not only is this illegal trade contributing to air pollution, it also undermines legitimate retailers and harms local businesses who are losing customers and revenue.”

With roughly one in 10 householders in County Cork burning solid fuel as their main source of heating, the council says it supports compliant solid fuel retailers and urges the public to do likewise by only purchasing approved fuels from trusted retailer

Such fuels should be used when necessary to heat homes and always check the labelling on all solid fuel bought. Approved fuel packaging should state ‘Contents Comply with the Air Pollution Act Regulations’ and display the producer’s EPA Registration Number.

The sale of smoky solid fuels, including bituminous coal, wet timber and turf, has been banned nationwide for over a year as these fuels cause more air pollution.

They emit particulate matter into the air that has a proven harmful impact on health, contributing to heart attacks and strokes as well as significantly compromising the quality of life for people suffering from asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions.

It’s 30 years since bituminous coal was banned in the Cork city area, an initiative aimed at countering the rising smog levels in Cork city and its environs and which was accompanied at first by a special fuel allowance of £3 per week to facilitate full compliance.

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