People are being exposed to dangerous levels of pollution due to the burning of solid fuels, according to a scientist.
It comes as data from the EPA shows air pollution in Dublin at the weekend was at levels not seen in three decades.
High readings were also recorded in Ennis, Tralee, Cork City, Macroom and Enniscorthy.
Professor John Wenger from UCC, who studied the data, says exposure to air pollution leads to over 1,200 premature deaths in Ireland every year:
"It affects the heart, the lungs, and we know now that also affects the brain, it has been linked with increased incidences of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease, for example.
"It affects the whole body because the particles that are generated during the burning of solid fuels can enter the body and move around the body and target certain organs.
Professor Wenger added that we need to think twice about lighting fires using solid fuels:
"It's a balance between personal responsibility but also Government action here.
"We can make our own decisions about doing these things, we know we shouldn't burn solid fuels but it's the attractiveness of having the fire, the warmth of the fire.
"But at the same time, the Government need to know that air pollution affects health and needs to act on this."
