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Air Quality Report in Northern Ireland distributed

Findings of a Report investigating the impact of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) on air quality were presented to Northern Ireland district councils today.
~ Wednesday, 8 February 2012

PAHs are carcinogenic pollutants and modelling work undertaken as part of the research suggests that there are higher levels of these substances in many urban centres across Northern Ireland than is allowed for under EU targets. This is caused mostly by households burning smoky coal.

Expressing his concern regarding the Report’s findings and the potential health effects of this pollution Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “Fuel is dearer here than in Britain and poverty levels are higher. People are burning smoky coal in smokeless areas to try and combat that. But it has consequences as this report highlights.

“The burning of smoky coal in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, particularly in cold weather, is leading to relatively high levels of these pollutants in the air we breathe. I would encourage people to burn only smokeless coal. It is slightly more expensive, but scientific evidence shows that smokeless coal burns longer with a higher heat output which would negate the perceived savings on smoky coal.“

Highlighting the important role councils should play Alex Attwood said: “Many of the areas exceeding the targets are where councils have introduced designated Smoke Control Areas. Within these areas the emission of smoke from domestic properties is restricted so householders should only be burning smokeless fuel in fireplaces. People need to be aware of the restrictions imposed within Smoke Control Areas and the potential consequences for local air quality of the fuel they choose to burn.”

The Minister concluded: “I am determined to take steps to improve air quality. I will be writing to the DSD Minister enclosing the Report and how the DSD work on the Fuel Poverty Strategy and energy conversion has relevance. In addition I will look at how to encourage uptake of smokeless fuels . My Department will be working in partnership with district councils to look at ways in which this problem can be addressed. To help reduce the pollution levels within these areas I would urge all households to ensure they are burning smokeless coal or switch to other cleaner fuels.”

Notes to editors:

  1. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly carcinogenic compounds, which may occur in ambient air as a result of natural processes, or as a consequence of anthropogenic activities. They most commonly arise as a result of combustion of carboniferous fuels, with coal burning producing the greatest amounts.
  2. DOE commissioned research in November 2010, to examine the levels of PAH monitored here, and the causes for these. The specification for the research also included modelling work so that levels of PAHs right across Northern Ireland could be estimated.
  3. The Fourth Air Quality Directive sets Target Values for, among other pollutants, PAHs.
  4. The research has estimated widespread exceedences of Target Values for PAHs in urban centres across Northern Ireland, many of which are within designated Smoke Control Areas; it has also shown that the majority of PAH emissions in Northern Ireland are from residential coal burning.
  5. While the results and figures from this report are estimates only they do give an indication of the levels of PAHs in ambient air across Northern Ireland, and the possible health effects from exposure to these levels. The research indicates that exposure to current levels of PAHs in urban centres in Northern Ireland could lead to 12 cases of lung cancer in Northern Ireland (based over 70-year lifetime exposure).
  6. Smoke Control is the primary means of tackling PAH levels in ambient air. District councils are tasked with designating Smoke Control Areas and with enforcement of smoke control measures in such areas.
  7. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9025 6058 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.