Smoke control regulations in Bristol and the harbour and why reducing solid fuel emissions is important
Smoke control regulations in Bristol
Burning wood, coal and manufactured solid fuels in a stove releases tiny particles into the air that are harmful to health when they're breathed in. This is known as particulate pollution.
Bristol is a smoke control area. This means that people who burn solid fuels in their home must comply with smoke control regulations, which are designed to reduce emissions of these particles and decrease the impact on health that this activity can have.
Smoke control regulations in the harbour
The smoke control regulations do not currently apply to vessels in the harbour, but we advise you to comply with them to reduce any emissions you're producing.
If you're not using an exempt appliance (a stove that's been designed to burn more efficiently) you try and burn fuel from the list of authorised fuels.
Authorised fuels have been tested to show that they meet better emission standards. This doesn't mean that they don't emit harmful particulate pollution, but less is emitted than from unregulated fuels.
If you can, try and comply with these regulations when you burn solid fuel on the harbour. You can also check for the ready to burn logo on any solid fuels that you buy. Always check which fuel types are recommended for your appliance.
Do not burn treated waste wood. This can release significant levels of toxic chemicals into the air.
Best practice guide
The government have produced a best practice guide for using solid fuels indoors, which is also relevant for vessels.
Why reducing solid fuel emissions is important
Particulate matter pollution is made up of tiny particles in the air. These small particles can be breathed in, enter our lungs and blood stream and effect our health.
Being exposed to particulate matter pollution can have immediate short-term health effects, particularly in those with pre-existing health conditions, as well as long-term effects from exposure to lower pollution levels over a lifetime.
To protect people's health, it's important to try and minimise pollution from local sources, like solid fuel use, that can have a detrimental short-term impact on local air quality.
The area around the harbour is built up, with lots of houses, and people using it for recreation. As a result, more people are exposed to pollution from vessels here compared to burning when a vessel is in a rural location surrounded by fields for example.