Introduction Contents History Emissions Health effects Exposure Case study Links Issues Way forward References |
Domestic smoke in the UK A
large majority of homes in the UK used to be heated by burning solid
fuel, usually bituminous coal on an open hearth fireplace. In the
1950's, domestic smoke from coal became such a problem, exemplified by
the London Smogs, that the UK government passed its first Clean Air Act
which established smoke control zones in urban areas and, upon payment
of compensation, households were required to transfer to "smokeless"
solid fuel or either to gas or electricity. The intention was
that the
whole of the population in major built up areas would eventually be
covered. The UK government, together with local authorities
failed to
complete a full urban smoke control zone. Their policies for air
quality now concentrate on general ambient background air quality.
Such a strategy has led the government to prioritise vehicle and
industrial emissions and to take policy decisions to control pollution
from those large volume sources. Local authorities have to write
and
implement an action plan known as an LAQM if local ambient air quality
fails to meet targets.
Smoke
Control Areas
The
first Clean Air Act was introduced in 1956 as a result of one of the
worst environmental disasters recorded in this country when in February
1952, over 4000
deaths
in a five day period were attributed to a London Smog caused mainly by
home coal burning. The Clean Air Acts, now consolidated in the Clean
Air Act 1993 allowed Councils to establish Smoke Control Areas to
improve air quality by the use of alternative heating sources or the
burning of cleaner
fuels.
Recent
UK regulations
The
Clean Air Act 1993 enables local authorities to designate smoke
control areas
in which smoke may not be emitted and the only fuels which may be burnt
are authorised fuels (e.g. gas, oil, anthracite, manufactured smokeless
solid fuel etc.) or other fuels in appropriate exempted
appliances. The Secretary of State has the power to authorise
fuels or
exempt appliances. Outside of smoke control areas the emission of
smoke may be classed as a nuisance. Enforcement of all Clean Air
Act
powers is with local authorities.
uk smoke control areas (recommended) Dark Smoke
Quote from 1993 act: Dark smoke shall not be emitted from a chimney of any building, and if, on any day, dark smoke is so emitted, the occupier of the building shall be guilty of an offence. Basically, it is not legal to emit smoke dark in colour from any chimney. Check the uk smoke control areas site for details Smoke
from bonfires or chimneys where smoke is allowed
The
Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides that smoke emitted from
premises can be a
statutory
nuisance
if it interfers substantially with your well-being, comfort and
enjoyment of your property or is a threat to your health. However, to
be considered a nuisance, a bonfire would have to be a regular problem
and occasional, short lived bonfires may not be considered a nuisance.
Basically,
it is not legal to emit smoke dark in colour from any chimney.
Check the uk smoke control areas site for details
The
promotion of wood as a fuel
Wood
and other types of biomass have credentials as a supposedly carbon
neutral and sustainable energy source and is being promoted with the
support of the UK government. This site is not against wood and
biomass burning but is against their emissions. It is possible to
burn
biomass with low, harmless emissions and it is this which should be
promoted.
The
amount of coal burnt on house fires has fallen steadily over the past
few decades from about 20 million tonnes in 1970 to only 600 000 tonnes
in 2006.
UK Government coal energy statistics
The history of smogs which eventually led to the UK government taking action in the form of various Clean Air Acts can be found here: St Andrews University lecture notes UK met office smog page Manchester Mettropolitan University air quality site Edinburgh University student project Mayor of London Smog and air quality report recommended pdf file Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Air Quality 2002 report |