ROSYTH'S Admiralty Road has higher levels of harmful and choking fumes than it did before the pandemic, analysis has revealed.

Air pollution caused by small toxic particles – known as particulate matter 10 (PM10) and largely due to exhaust fumes from traffic – dropped last year but have now bounced back and are even higher than they were in 2019.  

As part of the A985 trunk road linking Kincardine Bridge and the M90, Admiralty Road is a busy route for cars and lorries and is on a list of almost a third of Scotland's streets which have worse air pollution than before Covid-19 hit.

Steven Stewart, Rosyth Community Council chairman, told the Press: "Work at the dockyard has increased and there are a few housing developments around Rosyth right now that are maybe increasing pollution levels.

"I know residents of Admiralty Road have concerns about an increase in traffic and there is a bypass planned for Rosyth, but at the moment there's additional pollution."

He added: "COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) conditions are quite common in Rosyth, but that might be to do with the jobs people have had such as mining and working with asbestos.

"I haven't heard of anyone with illness because of population growth but that's not to say there aren't any."

Levels of nitrogen dioxide, which mostly comes from exhaust fumes, on Admiralty Road in 2019 were 17.4 microgrammes per cubic metre.

In 2020 that dropped to 11.2 but this year it's up to 17.7.

While PM10 levels averaged at 10 in 2019, they rose to 14.5 in 2021, after a slight fall to 9.4 last year.

Meanwhile, pollution levels at Viewfield Terrace in Dunfermline dropped from 11.4 PM10 in 2019 to 10.5 this year, with nitrogen dioxide at 15.8 in 2019 and down to 12.7 in 2021.

Friends of the Earth Scotland's Gavin Thomson said: “We know that among its negative health effects, exposure to air pollution makes people more vulnerable to Covid-19.

“We are more aware than ever of the importance of protecting public health, so this is an appalling finding. After months of empty roads during the first lockdown, traffic levels are now as high as before the pandemic.

“Prioritising walking, cycling and public transport would take cars off the road, improve the air we breathe and help us tackle climate change.”

The findings are part of an investigative series for our sister title, The Herald, by journalism platform The Ferret asking 'How Green is Scotland?'.

It is estimated air pollution causes almost 1,700 premature deaths in Scotland and some campaigners believe those figures could be higher.

Last year lockdown saw levels of air pollution drop across the globe, as there was much less traffic on the roads.

Average readings of air quality data for March to September, compiled for The Ferret by Friends of the Earth Scotland, show almost all readings have shot up again this year compared to the same period in 2020.    

They looked at two of the most common pollutants – nitrogen dioxide and PM10 – which can have serious health implications, particularly for those with underlying health conditions.

As well as triggering asthma and other respiratory conditions, air pollution has been linked to strokes, heart disease and some cancers, while it is also damaging for the environment.  

In an open letter to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, more than 60 leading health professionals called for more action to be taken on air pollution to save lives. 

A Scottish Government spokesperson said improving air quality was “an urgent priority for this government”.  

“Earlier this year, we published our updated air quality strategy, setting out how Scotland can achieve the best air quality in Europe,” they said, citing commitments to reduce vehicle kilometres and almost tripling investment in active travel to £320m. 

Fife Council's Kenny Bisset said: "We monitor air quality at the busiest roads and junctions, including Admiralty Road, and our findings indicate that the relevant pollutants are within prescribed limits.

"The latest data from 2021 is still being checked and we expect this to be available soon for comparison to air quality objectives.

"If, for whatever reason objectives are exceeded, then relevant measures including traffic management and fleet improvement measures will be considered as part of the action planning process."

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