Skip to main content

Air Quality

Air Quality Management


The National Air Quality Strategy outlines a national framework for reducing hazards to health from air pollution in the UK. It requires local authorities to review and assess local air quality against a set of standards and objectives for the control and Dark smoke from a commecial burnerreduction of the seven main health threatening pollutants – benzene, 1.3 butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (PM10) and sulphur dioxide. The objectives for each of these pollutants must be achieved between the years 2003 and 2005.

In Shetland the Environmental Health Division submits detailed reports on the various stages of the review process both to Council and the Scottish Executive.

 

A copy of the Shetland Local Air Quality Management Report can be obtained on the download page.

A copy of the Shetland Local Air Quality Management Progress Report 2007 can obtained on the download page.

Air Pollution Monitoring

Atmospheric pollution can result from the burning of fuels, whether to provide energy for the home or industry or to power transport; and it can result from emissions of chemicals from industry. Emissions can take effect locally as smog, or globally as acid rain.

Dark smoke from illegal burningBut, whatever the source or symptom, the pollution of the air we require for life is of concern to us all.

Complaints of garden bonfires and other illegal burning may constitute a statutory nuisance. There are a number of disposal methods, which are less environmentally damaging, and so preferable to burning. These are composting, shredding and using the Council’s special uplift service.

We also react to complaints from the public regarding specific pollution incidents. Examples of atmospheric pollution complaints received by Environmental Health include offensive smells, smoke, grit and dust from industry.

Bonfire Night

Every year we get a number of service requests to attend to and deal with Bonfires that are either too close to houses, too large for the safety of onlookers or have inappropriate materials like plastics, car tyres, furniture (which has foam materials inside) or roof felting built into them.

Any Bonfires which are found to have safety concerns will be dismantled and removed -so build safely and use waste wood and apprpriate packaging, cardboard etc.

Link to safe bonfires leaflet (PDF)