Cystic Fibrosis Ireland strongly supports the need for a wide range of measures to reduce air pollution in Ireland, in particular in the most problematic urban and built-up areas. CFI is further concerned that with the increasing cost of heating oil and natural gas there will be a slide back to the use of ‘environmentally dirty’ home heating solutions that will result in increased localised breaches of accepted air quality standards next autumn/winter. Poorer air quality poses a threat to all with lung conditions including CF, Asthma, Lung Fibrosis, COPD. Babies and children with lung conditions including CF are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. 

Several research papers in recent years have demonstrated that outdoor air pollution has adverse effects on people with cystic fibrosis. Studies show a significant relationship between the amount of airborne fine particles from sources such as powerplants, motor vehicles and types of coal burning and the number of CF related lung infections requiring treatment, including through intravenous anti-biotics. 

CFI calls on the government for full and early implementation of related planned policies including the Climate Action Plan which includes a strong focus on reducing air pollutants. 

CFI acknowledges the supports already available for cleaner fuels and better insulation, but urges further government support to increase the incentives to reduce outdoor air pollution, in particular for those with average and lower incomes. These include more grant aid for retrofitting heating systems; more effective restrictions on polluting fuels in vulnerable built-up areas and increased incentives to switch to cleaner energy sources, including solar panels for water heating.