Air quality

We measure the air quality in Fife at more than 60 places using specialist equipment including three automatic air quality monitoring stations.

By law, we must assess the presence of seven pollutants and the levels we measure are set at a level to protect the public's health.

Our recent assessments show that Fife’s air quality meets the government’s objectives for five of these pollutants:

• benzene,
• 1,3-butadiene
• lead (Pb),
• carbon dioxide (CO), and
• sulphur dioxide (SO2).

These assessments show that the other two pollutants - nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10) – exceed or are likely to exceed the government’s objectives at a few isolated locations.  This means we must monitor more detailed levels of these two pollutants at these sites.

What we do at our air quality monitoring stations

We monitor the presence of these two air pollutants – nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10) – in more detail at:

• Admiralty Road, Rosyth (monitored for NO2 and PM10)
• Appin Crescent, Dunfermline (monitored for NO2 and PM10)
• Bonnygate, Cupar (monitored for NO2 and PM10)
• St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy (monitored for NO2 and PM10)

Each of these monitoring stations now have a QR (Quick Response) Code Sticker attached to them. These stickers can be scanned using a smartphone to provide current air quality levels at each specific site (data provided by the Air Quality in Scotland website).

We produce annual summaries of our latest monitoring results.

In Fife we monitor our air quality for the presence of the following seven pollutants:

Benzene - Where it comes from:

• Exhausts from cars and other vehicles, particularly those with petrol engines
• Petrol stations

Related health problems:

Being exposed to high levels of benzene over a long period has the potential to cause cancer, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, liver and kidney damage, reproductive disorders and birth defects.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Where it comes from:

• Exhaust fumes from cars and other vehicles, particularly those with petrol engines

Related health problems:

Breathing in carbon monoxide can reduce the regular supply of oxygen getting to your heart. This can be particularly dangerous for people with heart disease and conditions linked to it.

1,3 – Butadiene - Where it comes from:

• Fumes from car and other vehicle exhausts from both petrol and diesel engines
• It’s used as a chemical in certain industries, for example producing synthetic rubber.

Related health problems:

Being exposed to high levels of 1, 3 – butadiene over a long period has the potential to cause cancer, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, liver and kidney damage, reproductive disorders and birth defects.

Lead (Pb) - Where it comes from:

• Fumes from car and other vehicle exhausts from petrol engines. (Unleaded fuel has significantly reduced the levels of lead in the air in urban areas)
• Lead is also  produced by burning coal to produce energy and from industries that produce metals

Related health problems:

Being exposed to high levels of lead over a long period may impair your mental functions, including your memory and attention span.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - Where it comes from:

• Fumes from car and other vehicle exhausts from both petrol and diesel engines
• Power stations
• Chemical processes, for example from manufacturing agricultural fertiliser.

Related health problems:

Nitrogen dioxide can irritate the lungs and make you less resistant to respiratory infections such as the flu. Children who are continuously exposed to it could be particularly at risk.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) - Where it comes from:

• Sulphur dioxide is produced by coal and oil-fired power stations
• exhaust fumes from cars and vehicles with diesel engines.

Related health problems:

Being exposed to high levels of sulphur dioxide for a short time may tighten your chest, make you cough and irritate your lungs.

If you have asthma, being exposed to even moderate concentrations of sulphur dioxide may affect your lungs (as asthma and other breathing conditions can be especially sensitive to SO2).

PM10 (fine particles) - Where it comes from:

• Exhaust fumes from cars and other vehicles with diesel engines
• Power stations
• Natural sources such as wind-blown particles of fine dust and soil, biological particles, for example fungi and pollen, and sea salt.

Related health problems:

Fine particles such as PM10 can be carried deep into your lungs where they can potentially cause inflammation.  People with heart and lung problems are especially vulnerable. The particles can carry carcinogens into the lungs.

We must make sure the air quality in Fife meets strict legal standards, which are set out in the National Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations. If the air quality in Fife fails to meet these standards then we must take action.

What the National Air Quality Strategy means for us

The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2007) sets out the government’s latest national air quality standards and objectives (as described by the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000 and subsequent amendments).  It also sets out policy measures intended to improve air quality throughout the UK, directly benefiting human health and protecting the environment.

Find out more about the national air quality standards and objectives

Why our Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) is important

Like all other councils, we must regularly review and assess the air quality in our area. We do this to identify any areas of Fife where we think the air quality is likely to exceed the national standards and objectives.

These assessments are undertaken to ensure we comply with the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system which was first introduced under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995.

We must assess whether the following seven pollutants are present in the air, and at what levels:

• benzene
• carbon monoxide (CO)
• 1,3 – butadiene
• lead (Pb)
• nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
• sulphur dioxide (SO2)
• PM10 (fine particles)

If we find the air quality doesn’t meet the legal standards, we must take action.

If we find that the air quality in an area doesn’t meet legal standards, we must take action. We do this by declaring an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and producing an Action Plan which sets out how we’ll improve the air quality in such areas.

Fife currently has no AQMAs. However, the measures detailed in the action plans for our two revoked AQMAs (Bonnygate, Cupar, and Appin Crescent, Dunfermline, revoked in 2023) continue to be implemented, to maintain the improvements made to the local air quality.

Publications

• Bonnygate Action Plan
• Appin Crescent Action Plan

While local authorities are not required to produce one, Fife Council has published an Air Quality Strategy to outline our ongoing local air quality management work.

We know that no single authority of Council Service can offer all the solutions to tackling air quality issues, so a combined approach with key partners and stakeholders has been adopted. Our strategy acts as a commitment from all Council Services to continue to improve air quality across Fife through our best practice approach.

Our original strategy has been updated for 2021-2025 and is endorsed by a number of external partners and stakeholders, including the Scottish Government and SEPA.

Publications

• Fife's Air Quality Strategy 2015-2020
• Fife Air Quality Strategy 2021-2025
• 2021-2025 Notice
• Fife Air Quality Strategy 2025-2030 (Draft)

New developments must be designed to minimise the impacts from emissions, such as those related to transport and combustion processes.

We've produced a guidance leaflet to assist applicants in considering and meeting the relevant air quality requirements as set out in environmental legislation.

This leaflet provides information on the way in which air quality issues are dealt with through the development management process.

It provides guidance on how applicants and their agents and consultants can prepare all the necessary documentation prior to submitting a formal application.

Our role in the development process

We advise on air quality matters in planning issues.  For example, we may review reports that accompany a planning application.

Please note that Economy, Planning & Employability Services take the lead in all issues relating to planning applications.

Air quality issues can be complex and could have a major impact on your development. So please get in touch with us as early as possible if you have any queries.

Publications

• Air Quality in Fife Advice for Developers

The Eco Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme is a free, voluntary scheme that provides recognition, guidance and advice on best practice to operators of goods vehicles, buses and coaches. It's being rolled out in Fife to help fleet operators improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions - all helping to improve local air quality and make cost savings at the same time.

Industry experts rate your vehicles and overall fleet when you join, to assess their current performance - both operational and environmental - and achieve an ECO Stars rating between 1 and 5. They then produce a bespoke "road map"  containing tailor-made guidance to help improve the efficiency of your fleet.

ECO Stars was originally created in South Yorkshire and has since been adopted by other areas in the UK including Nottingham, York and Warrington as well as several cities across Europe. In total, the schemes have more than 200 members with over 14,000 vehicles.

Transport Research Laboratory manages the scheme on behalf of Fife Council.

Who can join ECO Stars?

The ECO Stars Scheme in Fife is open to all operators of vans, trucks, buses and coaches who are based in Fife or operate regularly in the area.

Operators do not have to be based in Fife to be eligible to apply.

Your fleet can:

• be any size - from just one vehicle up to large fleets;
• include all types of commercial vehicles - vans, HGV, buses and coaches, and
• be from any industry sector - own account, hire and reward, private and public sector, retail, road haulage, industrial, parcel and courier, community transport, bus and coach service - to name but a few.

What are the benefits of being a member of ECO Stars?

The Eco Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme can have a big impact on your business:

• Improve you fuel efficiency - by implementing the key measures recommended by ECO Stars, a typical commercial vehicle operator could expect to reduce fuel consumption by at least 5% in the first year
• Save money - up to £2,600 per vehicle*, for an operator with 10 vehicles this equates to a saving of one whole tanker of diesel*
• Reduce your environmental impact - a typical light goods vehicle could see its annual output of carbon dioxide fall by six tonnes per year*. Reductions in toxic emission of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are also possible

Plus:

• It's free and simple to join with no formal audit process
• Tailor-made support and consultancy - fleet specialists will give you practical guidance and advice
• Raise your environmental profile - by becoming a member of ECO Stars Fife you will be recognised as an environmentally responsible fleet operator by other operators, customers and the wider community

*Based on 80,000 miles per year of diesel @ £1.13 per litre. Figures updated in 2014 from Department for Transport Freight Best Practice Programme.

How do I join ECO Stars?

Contact the ECO Stars team to have an informal chat or discuss ECO Stars in more detail:

• Phone: 01344 770700
• Email: ecostars@trl.co.uk

For further information, check out the Eco Stars website.

We can all help to improve and maintain Fife’s air quality – as individuals, businesses and organisations.

The easiest way to reduce air pollution and improve air quality is by driving less. So before you use your car ask yourself:

• Do I really need to make this journey?
• Could I combine all of my trips in one journey or share a car? (A cold car engine is known to pollute up to five times more than a warm car engine)
• Could I walk, cycle or take the bus instead of taking the car? (Walking and cycling will improve your health and cut down on air pollution)

Tips to help you reduce air pollution on the road and save money

If you have to drive these tips will help you reduce air pollution and save money:

• Drive smoothly - try to accelerate smoothly and brake gently. This will help your vehicle use less fuel
• Keep within the speed limit - the faster you drive, the more fuel you use, so drive slower and your vehicle will get more miles to the gallon or litre
• Use higher gears - use the highest gear you can in the traffic conditions you’re driving in. This will help your vehicle get more miles to the gallon or litre
• Use your air conditioning sparingly - your vehicle can use up to 20 per cent more fuel if the air conditioning’s on
• Switch off the engine when you park - this will help reduce the amount of fuel your vehicle is using. It’s now illegal to leave the engine running unnecessarily while your vehicle is parked

Maintain and look after your vehicle correctly

• Service your vehicle regularly to help keep the engine running as efficiently as possible
• Check your tyre pressure every week. If the tyres don’t have enough air in them, your vehicle will use much more fuel
• Know how much fuel you normally use and if your vehicle is getting fewer miles to the gallon or litre than normal, you may need to get it checked out to find out if there’s a problem
• Cut down the amount of drag and make sure you travel light - close windows, remove roof racks and keep the boot as empty as possible and you’ll get more miles from a tank of fuel

Tips for buying a new car or vehicle

• Choose one with a smaller engine - this will save you money on fuel, tax and insurance and help you to reduce air pollution
• Consider the fuel economy of different vehicles - the fuel economy of similar-sized cars and vehicles can vary considerably. So do your research and consider a range of manufacturers before you buy
• You can get free information on vehicle efficiency from The Vehicle Certification Agency (this takes you to an external website)

Tips to help you reduce air pollution at home and save money

Use less electricity - the more electricity you use in the home, the more air pollution will be generated by power stations. This happens because they burn fossil fuels to produce the electricity.

To cut down on air pollution and save money you can:

• use low energy light bulbs;
• turn off lights when you don’t need them;
• boil the kettle with only the amount of water you need;
• turn electronic equipment off instead of leaving on standby when you’re not using it, for example your television;
• install double glazing and cavity wall and loft insulation, and
• turn down your central heating thermostat by just one degree.

What is biomass?

Biomass is considered a sustainable, low carbon fuel. Typically, biomass is plant matter, such as trees, wood chips and crops, but can also include plant and animal matter (chicken litter for example) which are converted into fibres or other chemicals like biofuels. These materials are then used to fuel industrial biomass boiler and combined heat and power (CHP) systems, as well as residential heating and hot water systems.

Biomass combustion is considered to be ‘carbon neutral’ as the carbon dioxide  emitted when the fuel is used is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed from the air by the material while it was growing.

Air Quality and Biomass

As with all combustion appliances, we need to manage emissions from biomass boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) systems to ensure there are no significant negative impacts on Fife’s air quality.

In Fife, the two main air pollutants of concern are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10).

Regulation of Biomass Boilers

Biomass boilers are regulated in different ways depending on their size and fuel type.

Fife Council becomes the regulatory authority when a biomass boiler or stove falls under the Clean Air Act 1993. In this situation, boilers or stoves which are located within a smoke control area must not emit black smoke and should be using an approved smokeless fuel or an exempt appliance.

The Act also gives Fife Council powers regarding the control of emissions from large domestic and industrial boilers. Here, equipment, known as arrestment plant, may need to be installed to control dust emissions.

Where a furnace (including biomass boilers) burns a certain fuel at a certain rate – for example, pulverised fuel ash or solid fuel used at a rate of 45.4 kg per hour or more; or liquid or gas fuel used at a rate of 366.4 kW or more - Fife Council needs to approve the chimney height for the furnace. It is an offence to use a furnace if the chimney height has not been given the appropriate approval.

In certain circumstances, the Scottish Environment Protect Agency (SEPA) will be the regulatory authority. This generally covers larger, more complex industrial installations which require the appropriate Pollution Prevention and Control permits.

The Planning Process

Certain biomass installations will require planning permission. This includes when a biomass boiler:

• is part of a much larger new development;
• is being installed in an existing development, or
• is located within or adjacent to an Air Quality Management Area.

Find out more about Air Quality Management Areas.

As part of the planning process an Air Quality Impact Assessment may be required. The Environmental Protection UK guidance document ‘Biomass and Air Quality Information for Developers’ details the type of biomass equipment that will need an assessment.  Our guidance leaflet ‘Fife Air Quality Development Guidelines’ outlines the type of information that should be included in such an assessment.

Providing information about your biomass proposal

You may need to provide us with details about your proposed biomass system, either as part of a planning application or if your installation falls under the Clean Air Act. If this applies to you, you should complete the biomass information form.

Here you will need to include technical details about the biomass boiler, including:

• the type of fuel to be used;
• how and where the fuel will be stored;
• fuel delivery arrangements;
• emission concentrations, and
• stack/chimney height and width.

Once completed, send the form to the Land & Air Quality Team.

Publications

• Biomass Boiler Information Request Form

Open fires and wood burning stoves

Open fires and wood burning stoves

Open fires or wood burning stoves are popular but the smoke they produce is a major contributor to air pollution, which can damage health.

Using your wood burning stove or fire correctly reduces the risk of chimney fires and helps reduce air pollution, as well as saving you money.

You must ensure that your fire or stove doesn't emit too much dark smoke which can be a nuisance to your neighbours and you need to take appropriate steps to reduce smoke and strong smell.

Smoke is produced when fuels don't burn properly, so make sure that wood is dry so it can burn effectively and reduce the likelihood of smoke.

Wood should be stored undercover and allowed to dry out to make sure it is well-seasoned before burning.

Installation and maintenance of chimneys and appliances

Newly installed flues should comply with building regulations, but they don't necessarily require a building warrant. Even if your installation is compliant with building regulations, this doesn't mean that it is exempt from investigation under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Installation and maintenance should be carried out by professionals Chimneys should be swept on an annual basis or according to manufacturer’s instructions. You should request a written report on the works carried out by the chimney sweep that includes any recommendations and make sure these are actioned.

Fuels

Black smoke during full operation of the installation shows that fuels are not burning completely or that incorrect fuels are being used causing pollution and smell that can impact nearby properties.

Burning the correct fuels is important and you should seek advice from your installer, chimney sweep or online resources. View advice on using your fire correctly from the Burn Right website.

If you are concerned that your stove is not working properly, have it serviced by a professional.

Smoke control areas

Fife Council has powers to identify and declare areas a smoke control area. In these areas you can't emit smoke from a chimney unless you're burning an approved fuel or using exempt appliances.

View a list of approved fuels to be used on appliances in Scotland by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Household waste materials and plastics should never be burned on domestic fires.

View a list of exempt appliances by DEFRA. Exempt appliances include ovens, wood burners and stoves, that have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning designated solid fuel without giving off smoke. Please note if these appliances are not operated in line with manufacturers instructions, they may produce smoke which can be considered a nuisance.

How to submit a complaint

We are required to investigate complaints about excessive smoke from domestic fires and stoves. This includes strong smell and dark smoke which is considered unreasonable.

In the first instance, we recommend you speak to your neighbour and advise them of your concerns over the smell and colour of the smoke coming from the chimney. This will give them an opportunity to investigate and take measures to prevent smoke. If there is no improvement, you may wish to submit a complaint to us for investigation.

To submit a complaint please email Duty.OfficerPPT@fife.gov.uk and include the following details:

• Address of the property emitting excessive smoke and strong burning smell
• Photographs of the smoke (where appropriate)
• A detailed log of the date and time when it happened, the address of property affected and how it is impacting your enjoyment of your property.
• Your contact details.

Further information

• Home - The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS)
• HETAS | Working together for a cleaner safer environment
• The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps Association
• Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps - APICS – Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps
• Home - NCSSA
• Solid Fuel Association - Advice for consumers & professionals

Idling is an offence under the Road Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 2003, but enforcement is not required by law. Local authorities can decide whether to enforce it.

Currently, we do not enforce this rule. However, we review our decision regularly in light of air quality regulations and our Air Quality Management Area Action Plan.

Instead of enforcement, we focus on education and voluntary action to raise awareness about air quality. This includes participating in 'Clean Air Day' and working with local businesses, such as freight, bus, and taxi operators, to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Our ‘ECO Stars’ scheme is one of these initiatives.

We also run live online lessons for schools in Fife that sign up for Clean Air Day, where students use monitoring equipment to track air quality.

Recently, we removed the Air Quality Management Area orders for Cupar and Dunfermline due to ongoing improvements in air quality in both areas. While enforcement of idling is still being considered as part of Fife's Air Quality Strategy, it is not currently in place.