POOR air quality events in Ennis are driving trolley numbers up at Limerick’s A&E an Ennis councillor has said.

Councillor Johnny Flynn called for “urgent action” to be taken on what he describes as a “human health and environmental hazard”.

Councillor Flynn was speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where he renewed calls for a Clean Air Strategy for the county capital in the wake of “concerning ongoing poor air quality results for Ennis from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)”.

He said he has become “frustrated” with the ongoing issue. Councillor Flynn pointed out that Ennis and Clare rely on the only Level 3 hospital in the region for 24 hour A&E in Limerick, and outlined that studies have shown that poor air quality has a “huge impact” on hospital admissions.

The councillor welcomed plans to install a number of new sulphur dioxide monitors in Ennis.

However, he insisted that more is needed, “so people can be told that the air pollution is a threat to them if they are compromised health-wise”.

He suggested that the local media be used to advise people in Ennis if air pollution has exceeded recommended levels.

The councillor stated that the majority of the time Ennis’ air quality is good, however the town’s geography means that at times of cold weather and no wind, air pollution can build to unacceptable levels.

“I see lots of people out walking around doing their exercise, believing they are doing the right thing for their health. When instead they should be inside when there is an invisible health risk in the air.”

“Ennis has fantastic healthy air most of the year, but during cold snaps and no wind because of its shape the concentrations of particulate matter reaches high levels. People should be advised to close their windows.”

He said he is “disappointed” that the ongoing issue has not been addressed.

A study by the HSE and EPA found that same day admissions for asthma-related illness nearly doubled from 2.68 when air quality was good to 4.55 when it was poor.

While for patients with cardiovascular disease the same day admission rate rose from 3.65 when air quality was good , to 5.46 when air quality was poor, a 50% increase.

“There is a crisis in the 24-hour A&E in Limerick and we need to make sure that people don’t need to go in there, and a part of that is forecasting air quality so we can tell vulnerable people not to go out.

“We need to prevent a trolley crisis in Limerick by keeping Ennis people in. Some evenings it’s not safe to walk for some people and it is driving the numbers of trolleys into Limerick.”

The councillor in proposing the motion stated, “I refer to reports of concerning ongoing poor air quality results in Ennis from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), my previous notice of motions for a Clean Air Strategy for Ennis and ask for urgent action on this serious human health and environmental hazard.”

Responding Leonore O’Neill, Senior Executive Officer, stated, “Following a similar Notice of Motion in 2021, this matter was referred to the Physical Development SPC in September 2021.

“The Environment Section of Clare County Council are currently engaging with the Environmental Protection Agency on more recent findings.”

The motion was seconded by Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton who said she has received a number of correspondences from people in relation to air pollution.

Councillor Mary Howard, who has asthma, stated that she almost feels like wearing a mask while walking on cold, still evenings.

She suggested that the council could send out alerts during times of poor air quality, similar to weather warnings.

She added that one of the problems is the selling of smoky coal despite a ban being in place, adding a national ban may be needed.

Director of Service Carmel Kirby told the meeting that the EPA’s baseline for PM10 is 50 ug/m3 with 35 exceedances permitted over one year.

She stated that the council’s environmental section have been asked to look carefully at the recent reported air pollution spikes in Ennis.

She also stressed that one of the biggest contributors to air pollution is the burning of solid fuels.

She said it is important that the public avoid burning smoky coal, adding that the environmental section are working on the enforcement of the smoky coal ban.

She acknowledged a Clean Air Strategy has not been introduced, but said that there is expertise available to assist in this.

Councillor Flynn said, “We can increase our monitoring and forecasting. 95% of the time the air quality is perfect in Ennis. But at a time when trolleys are backed out the door in Limerick we need to tell people when they need to protect themselves.”

He added that the strategy would not cost a lot, and it would allow people to be forewarned of air pollution so they can avoid having to attend hospital.

“We need to start the ball rolling. Everybody thinks that the national smoky coal ban is a silver bullet, but we have had a ban here for more than 10 years and it hasn’t worked.”

Councillor Flynn also claimed that people are buying Columbian coal “the worst coal” advertised online.

“We can’t stop it but we can manage it and warn people and prevent serious health consequences.”

By Jessica Quinn