Up and down the country, levels of fine particles soar after 4pm when home fires are lit. We all know that smoky evening smell and may have noticed the haloes that appear around lampposts as smoke fills the air. Burning solid fuels for heating is the source of this pollution, and it doesn’t only flow out our chimneys — it gets inside the home too.

Earlier this month low winds and cold temperatures produced highly polluted air across Ireland and most people were exposed to dirty air. Residents of Edenderry, Co Offaly, were worst hit. They endured a daily average level of fine particles almost ten times worse than World Health Organization guidelines, prompting officials to issue a public health alert for air pollution across the Midlands. 

In Ireland, the fire is deeply embedded in society and linked to coziness, warmth, and togetherness. Unfortunately, these positive associations can veil the costs of solid-fuel fires to our health and that of others.

Effects

Air pollution affects people’s lives. We have found this in our current research project interviewing residents in Cork about their experiences of air quality. 

Consider Laura, a young woman who suffers from asthma. Laura knows that smoky air can trigger an asthma attack, and she has learned to use her sense of smell to decide if it is safe for her to go outdoors during winter. Polluted air traps her at home on winter evenings. We also talked to parents who described the challenge of protecting vulnerable children from polluted air when travelling to school or playing outdoor sports. Senior citizens spoke of their heightened health risk from walking outdoors on winter evenings.

Air pollution affects everybody. Long-term exposure to even low levels of air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, low birthweight, neurological issues and poor mental health. 

The evidence of harm continues to mount. A recent UK study found air pollution was linked to a higher risk of developing dementia. A 2023 study of US women reported a staggering 43% increased risk of lung cancer among regular users of wood-burning stoves. Air pollution in Ireland causes around 1,300 premature deaths each year, much worse than road traffic fatalities. The cost to Irish society is an astronomical €2.3bn per year in shortened life expectancy, sick leave, and medical costs.

But there is hope. While air pollution harms people far more than previously believed, countries have also learned to identify and tackle sources of pollution.

As a result, the air in developed countries is vastly cleaner than a few decades ago. Regulating industrial emissions, reducing sulphur content in fuel, installing filters and catalytic converters on vehicles and other measures have slashed air pollution and improved health outcomes. In Ireland, research has shown that the 1990 smoky coal ban in Dublin saved about 350 lives every year. That is an astonishing impact.

There are several straightforward steps that we can take, where possible, to keep our air clean while keeping our homes warm. We suggest thinking about home heating along the lines of fuel, frequency, and future plans.

Solutions

First, consider the fuel you use. Switching to a less polluting fuel can, by itself, make a difference — as Dublin’s smoky coal ban showed. Using less smoky coal, dry rather than wet wood, and avoiding peat are all steps in the right direction. These are actions that most households can take, including those who depend exclusively on solid fuels for heating.

Second, assess the frequency of fires. About 90% of Irish homes have a gas or oil boiler and can use a stove or open fire as a secondary heat source. Boilers are much less polluting than solid fuels. Using gas or oil for most heating and reducing how often the fire is lit allows families to enjoy the occasional fire while slashing the pollution they produce. Even lighting the fire for fewer hours would be helpful. Less fuel burned means less pollution.

Third, use Clean Air Night as an opportunity to make future plans for clean home heating. Insulation and home retrofitting are highly effective at keeping homes warmer and more comfortable with greatly reduced energy costs. In well-insulated houses, heat pumps are a super-clean route to a cosy house. Although these changes can be complex and costly, grants and loans are available to support these bigger steps towards a healthier and more sustainable future. An increasing number of households are doing so and reaping the benefits.

These actions range from small to big, and they can all make a difference to the air we breathe. We are optimistic that more people will see the benefits of clean air and take meaningful steps to reduce pollution. Doing so will be hugely positive for our health, our communities and our environment.

• Dr Dean Venables (senior lecturer in Environmental Chemistry) and Dr Marica Cassarino (lecturer in Applied Psychology) work at University College Cork.