SCIENTIST HAS GRAVE CONCERNS OVER ENNISCORTHY’S AIR QUALITY
A SENIOR executive scientist with Wexford County Council has expressed grave concern about the quality of air in Enniscorthy.
Brendan Cooney gave a presentation to the members of the local authority in which he outlined how people with respiratory problems in the county could suffer long-term consequences as a result of the smoky coal being burned.
He focussed attention on people affected by conditions like asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and said it’s dangerous for people with such conditions to venture outside in both Enniscorthy and New Ross.
He said this is particularly the case on cold evenings or nights as the coal that’s being burned fills the air with dangerous particulates, sulphur dioxide and other carcinogenic particles.
He told the members that Enniscorthy and New Ross have the worst air in the county.
Mr Cooney said the air in the two towns could have ‘a big impact on people who are breathing it in constantly’.
However, he said the air quality in Wexford town is ‘not bad most of the time’.
‘The problems occur at nighttime and at certain times during the day,’ said Mr Cooney.
He said one of the particles, PM10, lodges in the trachea while another particle, PM2.5 goes even further down a person’s airways.
He highlighted that anyone in Enniscorthy affected by breathing difficulties should remain indoors if possible on frosty of cold night.
‘Bituminous coal burning in our towns is a really big problem and it’s bad in so many ways,’ he said.
He also told the members that stoves are far more efficient than open fires.
‘With an open fire there is only about 25 to 30 per cent efficiency whereas a stove has about 70 per cent efficiency,’ he said.
‘Burning coal is really inefficient and bad for you,’ he added.
‘Hydro-carbon coming off fires is very carcinogenic.’
Mr Cooney then said it would be better if the entire county was a designated smoke-free zone.
Cllr Keith Doyle said he noticed poor air quality when attending local matches.
‘From 7.30 p.m. onwards I find it hard to breathe and there are guys running around a pitch breathing that in,’ he said.
‘Why do we not just ban it in the Republic?’ he added.
He then suggested a letter should be sent to the Government calling for a ban to be introduced.
‘We cannot let the people of Enniscorthy breathe this in any longer,’ he said.
In response Mr Cooney said the elected members in Gorey had already agreed to submit a letter.
Cllr Johnny Mythen said it would be better if people knew when it’s best to stay in rather than go out.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh suggested Enniscorthy is now worse than anywhere else in terms of its air quality.
He also said he agreed with Cllr Doyle that a letter should be sent to the appropriate Minister calling for a ban.
‘We have to look after people everywhere,’ said Mr Cooney.
‘We are no different to any other town that hasn’t done anything,’ said Cllr Doyle.
Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy said there are also some issues, at times, in Bunclody.