City smog

Press, 17 June 1986, Page 16

City smog

Sir,—Anne Cochrane (June 7) suggests financial penalties for using open fires, and for using electricity. This seems admirably balanced. (Many advocates of breathable air would like open fires completely banned.) But what extraordinary reactions she has triggered. Her careful plan arouses accusations (June 10) of “extreme hostility”

... “selfish and one-sided” — epithets more applicable to the letters in which they appear. Those concerned about old people’s welfare would do well to drop the sentimental nonsense about needing open fires to survive the winter. The open fire is an inefficient — and thus, in real terms, excessively expensive — means of heating one room. A small electric heater does the same job more reliably, safely, and cheaply. Old people are among those most likely to suffer serious respiratory problems as a result of breathing Christchurch’S filthy air. Some people cling to what they are used to, but where the familiar method damages human health, behaviour must change. — Yours, etc., CATHERINE GLUE. June 12, 1986.