Air pollution

 
 

The Clean Air Act and smoke control

Smoke consists of unburned particles of carbon or soot, tiny tar particles and hydrocarbons. These particles can penetrate deep into our lungs and cause breathing problems especially in the old, infirm and very young.

Ordinary coal burnt in open grates can produce up to twenty times as many tar and hydrocarbon particles as industrial chimneys. Domestic smoke is emitted at a relatively low level and is less likely to be dispersed in the atmosphere. A look at the chimneys on old buildings in Westminster shows how many open fires there used to be.

Domestic smoke was a major cause of urban smog. The London smog of 1952 lasted for several days and caused 4000 deaths prompting the implementation of the Clean Air Acts 1956 and 1968. Although the situation is vastly improved, dense domestic smoke can still obscure winter sunshine, contribute to fogs and cause respiratory problems for children, old people and those with bronchitis or asthma. Open fires are also a source of dust and grime in the home. Fuel storage is a potential fire hazard, heavy and disposal of ash a considerable inconvenience.

Smoke Control Areas

The Clean Air Act 1993 controls domestic and industrial smoke. This legislation and changes in fuel usage over the past 30 years have helped the UK to meet air quality standards for sulphur dioxide and particulate set by EU Directive 80/779/EEC. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 deals with other forms of statutory nuisance and pollution that does not emanate from a chimney. Click here for further information on Smoke control across the UK

All of the City of Westminster has been a Smoke Control area since 1969 where the emission of smoke from chimneys of dwellings is prohibited. Smoke from industrial or commercial premises is carefully controlled by orders under the Clean Air Act. This means that only authorised fuels can be burned. These include:

  • Gas, electricity, low volatile steam coals, coke
  • Patent smokeless fuels such as Phurnacite, Coalite, Rexco, Taybrite and Geocite.
  • Oil burning appliances like paraffin stoves may be used.

There is a recent trend for people living in cities to open up old fireplaces to resurrect the old open fire. This is illegal unless one of the above smokeless fuels is used.

Wood burning stoves can be used, so as long as they are approved. However the council would prefer residents to use only very clean fuels such as gas or electricity to heat homes. Modern coal or wood effect fires look almost as good as a real fire but are cleaner and cheaper to run.

You can view smoke control areas in Westminster on our Web map by clicking on the link below:

Play your part for cleaner air in the City and don’t re-use the open fireplace – if you want a real flame use a gas powered wood or coal effect fire.