EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET | TEACHER
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ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Theme
Class activity (CA). The students consider
the causes of smog, a local environmental
problem, look at how the problem
was tackled and participate in role plays
to explore the reactions of some of the
actors involved in the issue.
Objectives
Developing awareness of specific
environmental problems of Irish
relevance. Encouraging creative and
analytical thinking about complex
problems with many perspectives.
Activity EC05A
Curricular Strands
SESE, Science and Geography—
Environmental awareness and care
Skills
Questioning, observing, investigating,
recording and discussing
SESE, Science—Science and the
environment
Time
20 minute introduction; 40 minute role
play and preparation
SESE, Geography—Human environments;
Natural environments
SPHE—Myself and the wider world;
Developing citizenship
Links to Green Schools
Considering local environmental problems
The smog story
DISCUSSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
WHAT YOU NEED
D The attached ‘Smog Story’
and press file
2 Divide the students into
groups and hand out copies of
the press file.
3 Also pass out copies of the
WHAT YOU DO
1 Read ‘The Smog Story’
with the class and ask for
initial reactions.
attached table. Assign a role
from the table to each group
and ask them to brainstorm
their possible reactions to the
smoky fuel ban.
4 Ask each group to present their
thoughts. This could take the
form of a public meeting in the
community, with students
taking on different roles.
Go further
1 Imagine you are a local
authority group considering
how to improve air quality.
What would you propose for
your locality? Draw up a list of
steps to better air quality
where you live. Who would be
affected by your actions? Who
might object to your plans?
EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET | STUDENT
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ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Activity EC05A
THE SMOG STORY
The term ‘smog’ is made up from
the words ‘smoke’ and ‘fog’. The
word was first used in 1905 to
describe the sooty fog that
In December 1952, ‘The Great
Smog’ occurred in London,
covering the city with a smokeladen fog for several days. Road,
Since then the ban has been
extended to many other cities
and towns across Ireland. The ban
on the sale of smoky fuels now
occurred in most British urban
rail and air transport were
operates in Dublin, Cork, Arklow,
areas at that time. Smoke and
brought to a standstill. An
Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick,
pollution are usually reduced
estimated 4,000 people died due
Wexford, Celbridge, Galway,
when air movement mixes them
to the smog. Following ‘The Great
Leixlip, Naas, Waterford, Bray,
with cleaner air, spreading and
Smog’ the British government
Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee.
diluting them. But smog occurs
introduced a ban on emissions of
when very still weather
black smoke and passed laws to
conditions prevent this mixing
make residents of urban areas
from happening.
and industries convert to
smokeless fuels.
Normally, the temperature of the
air decreases as you go higher:
In Ireland following the oil crisis
this is why it is colder at the top
of a mountain even if there is no
wind. Sometimes, due to a high
pressure system, a cold layer of
air settles under a warm layer.
This is called ‘thermal inversion’.
Thermal inversion prevents
smoke and pollution from our
chimneys and cars reaching the
upper atmosphere and causes the
(during the 1970s and 1980s) we
became very dependent on coal
as a fuel and heating source. In
the early 1980s all local authority
housing in Dublin used solid fuel
as a source of heating. In 1982
due to a heavy fog St James’s
Hospital in Dublin reported a
significant increase in mortality
(deaths). These incidents got
pollution to stay near the ground.
If there is a high pressure system
over an area and low wind speeds
worse through the winters of the
late 1980s, and the government
introduced a ban on the sale of
the thermal inversion can stay in
the area for a number of days.
smoky fuels in the greater Dublin
area in 1990. At the time, coal
merchants were worried about
the effects this would have on
their business. Medical research
has estimated that the ban has
resulted in over 360 fewer deaths
per year in Dublin alone.
Continued
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EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET | STUDENT
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ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Continued
Activity EC05A
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PRESS FILE SMOG
1. Press release about smog from
the Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government
25/3/03
coal and petcoke nationally.
These measures will reduce
ambient smoke levels and reduce
sulphur dioxide emissions by
some 6,500 tonnes per annum.
Cullen extends coal ban to
four new urban areas
“I am pleased to sign these
The Minister for the Environment
and Local Government, Mr. Martin
Cullen, T.D., today (25 March
2003) signed regulations
extending the ban on the
marketing, sale and distribution
of bituminous coal to an
additional four urban areas. The
new urban areas are Bray,
Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee. The
ban will come into effect on 1st
said. “Anyone who visited Dublin
October, 2003.
The Department of the Environment and Local Government will
issue a public information leaflet
to all households and businesses
in the new ban areas later
this year explaining the effects
and implications of the ban in
the new areas.
The regulations arise from the
negotiated agreement signed by
the Department and the Solid
Fuel Trade Group (representing
the principal importers and
distributors of solid fuel) in June
2002 following consultations on a
potential national ban on
bituminous coal and petcoke in
2001/2002. As well as new ban
areas, the agreement also
provides for a reduction in the
sulphur content of bituminous
regulations into law” the Minister
during the winter months of the
late 1980s will remember the
The Department of Social,
Community and Family Affairs will
make an additional payment
during the winter heating season
to qualifying social welfare
recipients to assist lower income
households with any increased
cost of smokeless solid fuel. The
cost of this Supplementary Fuel
Allowance payment will be
there. The benefits of the ban on
e860k. per full year in the new
areas and e13.6m. nationally.
bituminous coal are visible for
“As well as the benefits of
everybody to see. Independent
medical research has shown that
the ban has resulted in some 116
cleaner air in new ban areas the
agreement with the Solid Fuel
Trade Group will also play a part
fewer respiratory deaths and 243
fewer cardiovascular deaths per
year in Dublin alone. These
in achieving Ireland's national
emission ceiling for sulphur
dioxide emissions as required
regulations will ensure that the
people of Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and
under EU and international law.
severe winter smog encountered
Tralee will also enjoy cleaner air”.
The ban on the sale of
bituminous coal already operates
in twelve urban areas: Dublin
(since 1990), Cork (1995), Arklow,
Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick,
Wexford (1998) and Celbridge,
Galway, Leixlip, Naas and
The agreement is estimated to
reduce national emissions by up
to 6,500 tonnes of SO2 (sulphur
dioxide) per year I will be
publishing a discussion paper
ahead of bringing a National
Emissions Reduction Strategy to
Government later this year” the
Minister added.
Waterford (2000). All areas have
shown considerable improvement
in reduced smoke levels
subsequently. The agreement
with the Solid Fuel Trade Group
also provides for increased
market penetration of smokeless
fuel products in four more urban
areas (Athlone, Carlow, Clonmel
and Ennis) up to 75% by 1
October, 2004.
Continued
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EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET | STUDENT
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ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Continued
Activity EC05A
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2. The Sligo Weekender,
Tuesday, 23 September 2003
Ban on smoky coal starts
next week
From next week householders in
parts of Sligo town will be banned
from burning smoky coal.
The ban comes into effect on
Wednesday next and covers
Finisklin, Ballydoogan and
Knappaghmore.
Sligo joins many major towns
Ms O’Rourke said local suppliers
have stocks of various smokeless
fuel types. These include
Magiglow, Fireflame and
Supercoal, Arigna smokeless
coals, turf briquettes, Easy Flame
coal nuggets, Arigna EcoBrite
(suitable for enclosed units),
Redflame Standard Anthracite
(suitable for enclosed units),
black diamond Grade A
Anthracite (suitable for enclosed
units) and fire logs and fire paks.
around the country who are
3. The Western People,
Sligo's town and county councils
have teamed-up to bring this ban
into effect.
Alice O’Rourke, Environmental
Officer with Sligo Borough
Council, said the aim is to improve
air quality in urban areas. “While
everyone will benefit from clean
air, this ban on bituminous
coal has proven beneficial to the
vulnerable sections of the
community such as the young, the
elderly and those suffering from
respiratory illnesses”.
The ban does not affect the use
of other fuels such as gas, oil or
electricity. Wood, turf and peat
briquettes are also considered
smokeless products.
According to Westport councillor,
Declan Dever, himself a fuel
merchant, if the ban comes into
effect it will force many coal
merchants out of business.
“They will simply not be able to
survive,” he said.
“It's not only smoky coal that is
being banned; petroleum coke is
implementing the ban.
It means that the traditional
smoky coal such as Polish or
Texan will be outlawed within the
town boundary.
mind of the government. It is
open to all people in the county
with an interest in the coal
business.
Thursday, 8 November 2001
Mayo coal merchants fuming
over move to smokeless fuel
also on the list. Most smokeless
coals contain this. Therefore,
there will be very few products
left for coal merchants to sell.”
Coal and fuel merchants from all
around the county will come
Cllr Dever is also concerned
about the repercussions such a
together tomorrow evening
ban would have for coal users,
particularly the elderly.
(Wednesday) to discuss the
proposal by the government to
ban the sale of smoky coal and
petroleum coke from next year.
Since the announcement was
made last month coal merchants
nationwide have been up in arms,
fearing that their livelihoods will
be in danger if this legislation
goes through. The ban is due to
come in to effect at the start of
next season, which for fuel
merchants is this time of year.
The meeting, which takes place in
the Traveller's Friend, Castlebar
at 8.30pm, is taking place to
decide what action can be taken
by coal merchants to change the
“Many people depend on coal for
heat, as they cannot afford
central heating. They buy coal
every week, even during the
summer months, so they will have
a supply ready for the winter.
This will seriously affect them.”
EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET | STUDENT
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ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Activity EC05A
REACTIONS – SMOG PRESS FILE
From your reading of the Smog press file, how would you describe the
reactions and opinions of the various people involved?
Groups or individuals involved
Coal merchant
Asthma sufferer
Worker in a city centre hotel
Local environmental
awareness officer
School pupil (who cycles
to school)
Local shop keeper
What they might think