While the sale of house coal was banned in England nearly two years ago, in Scotland such a ban has always been ‘just around the corner’. Fears that this corner might not arrive at all has prompted Asthma + Lung UK Scotland to call on the Scottish Government to honour its promise to implement a ban.
A ban was proposed in the ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy which was published shortly after the ban in England came into force, but a recent exchange in the Scottish Parliament has alarmed campaigners.
On March 27th Colin Smyth asked Acting Minister for Climate Action, Alasdair Allan, to confirm that the ban would be going ahead.
Colin Smyth: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to ban house coal, as set out in its strategy, cleaner air for Scotland.
Alasdair Allan: We are committed to securing warmer, greener and cheaper heating for everyone in Scotland. A move towards cleaner fuels must take place as part of a just transition, to ensure that no one is left in fuel poverty. We will review the evidence on the potential impacts of taking forward a ban on the sale of house coal on fuel supplies and costs in rural and islands communities, where many people still rely on coal for heating their homes.
Colin Smyth: As part of its strategy, the Scottish Government set an ambitious target to have the best air quality in Europe. I am sure that the minister agrees that, if we are to meet that target, the most polluting fuels must be banned to protect the environment and human health. Can the minister give us a timescale for when further consideration will be given to phasing out the use of house coal? Will he commit to holding a consultation at the earliest opportunity, so that we can get on with action that other parts of the United Kingdom have already taken?
Alasdair Allan: In comparison with much of Europe, Scotland enjoys good air quality, and emissions of the main air pollutants, which Colin Smyth referred to, have declined significantly over the past three decades. That has been achieved through tighter regulation, improved fuel quality, cleaner vehicles and many other factors.
As I mentioned, I am open to looking at such matters as we move forward, but we must do so in a way that takes account of the evidence from particular parts of Scotland.
In response, Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said: ‘We understand that the cost of living is hurting the most vulnerable our society, but this does not mean that we should start rolling back on steps to protect people’s health.
‘We have long understood the dangers of burning coal so as with smoking, we need the Scottish Government to bring in legislation to help protect us from harm. We have thankfully long moved on from a time where burning coal within the home was an absolute necessity.
‘Burning coal is a source of toxic air pollution both inside and outside homes. It not only damages your health but also the health of your neighbours and the environment too. Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air, and we need the Scottish Government to act now before more lives are cut short.’
House Coal (aka bituminous coal) produces smoke rich in lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and PM2.5. Smokeless coal, typically made from anthracite, emits 75-80% less PM2.5.
Last year a freedom of information request by journalism platform The Ferret revealed that the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service were themselves getting through 625kg of coal a year, keeping three large fireplaces between October and the end of March.
Asthma + Lung UK Scotland provide testimony from Audrey Glenn, a 58 year-old from Dundee who was diagnosed with asthma when she was 22.
‘Air pollution is a major trigger for me. I definitely smell the smoke from open fires and wood burners if they are on and if I go out into the garden. Sometimes when it’s really bad I have seen my garden full of smoke which obviously makes me cough, become breathless and I have to use my inhaler. My washing can smell of smoke too. I like to keep my back door open as much as possible as I have dogs, but quite often I have to close it because of the smoke.
‘There are a few people with open coal fires near where I live as I’ve seen the coal being delivered. I’d like to see wood burners and the use of coal banned in cities, because the houses are too close together. Wood burners and especially coal fires aren’t suitable for built up residential areas. If you have a lung condition it’s not good at all, having to breathe in toxic air from burning wood or coal, gasping for breath. When I see the coal delivery lorry passing by, I think coal, that’s something my granny and great granny had!’
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