Domestic firelighters are a major source of air pollution, according to research published by the University of Galway.
The international research team from Ireland, China and India, described the impact of firelighters and the release of black carbon as a "significant and previously overlooked" source of air pollution.
Firelighters are kerosene-based and contain hydrocarbon alkane.
The study found that firelighters used for open fires and stoves in the home emit more black carbon than all biomass fuels put together, even if used in only small quantities and for a short period of time.
Deputy Director of the Ryan Institute Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies at UG Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite said that potentially toxic air pollutants like black carbon, not only affect people's health but play a significant role in climate change and uncertainty of climate predictions.
She said: "Black carbon is one of the main pollutants that affect air quality, acting as a climate forcer or driver, second only to carbon dioxide. While the effect was revealed in Ireland, the impact of it is relevant to other European countries, the UK, and worldwide, especially now with a rebound in the use of solid fuel stoves due to the energy crisis."
Prof Ovadnevaite added: "Unfortunately, there is no silver lining in this cloud over human health and climate change until the promotion of solid biomass fires and the use of firelighters for ignition is replaced by a co-benefit policy."
The research team also noted that average black carbon levels in Dublin, seen as a clean European city, rivalled those in Beijing.
The analysis of air quality took place in south Dublin in 2016 and subsequent years, and included data recorded by the monitoring stations controlled by the EPA.
The researchers noted generally good air quality in Ireland thanks to Atlantic weather patterns.
However they found that extreme air pollution events occur frequently in wintertime and during these times concentrations of air pollutants exceed levels recommended for health.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution remains the the single biggest environmental health risk, causing more than seven million premature deaths per year worldwide.
