Health

Extra testing for coal products in towns after high pollution despite ban

The burning of smoky coal has been prohibited in most Irish towns for a number of years

High sulphur dioxide events were recorded in areas such as Ennis, Co Clare. Picture: Getty

Testing of coal products will be ramped up after high sulphur levels were recorded in certain towns around Ireland despite a nationwide ban on smoky fuels, Eamon Ryan has said.

The Minister for Environment was responding to a Business Post analysis which showed that the government’s smoky fuel ban has so far had little impact on air quality around the country, with high pollution events recorded in several locations over the winter period.

Sulphur Dioxide ...