NHS Fife examining health issue claims

Health experts are analysing claims Mossmorran flaring has caused symptoms including migraines and breathing issues.

NHS Fife said its public health team is poring over hundreds of reports to environment agency Sepa from worried residents near the Cowdenbeath plant.

The team is looking at issues raised and is to publish its findings in September.

People have complained of burning eyes, shortness of breath, headaches and hayfever-like symptoms during flaring.

Earlier this year NHS Fife warned GPs they may see an increase in visits from people with health problems they believed were connected with flaring, but the health authority said no practice had flagged up any concern.

An NHS Fife spokeswoman said: “We recognise that during incidents of unplanned flaring, complaints to Sepa’s helpline indicate an increase in concern among residents about health concerns.

“NHS Fife’s public health team are working with Sepa to analyse these health-related complaints and identify the issues raised.”

Mossmorran Action Group has called for an independent study of the impact of the plant.

Chairman James Glen said: “Since we opened our social impact map in 2017 we have received 340 separate reports of health impacts on local residents during bouts of flaring, ranging in severity from migraines and asthma attacks to anxiety and insomnia.”

Flaring is a safety mechanism used during process upsets but the light, noise and vibration can cause severe disruption to those living in the vicinity.

Exxon-Mobil Chemical runs the Fife Ethylene Plant.

Stuart Neill, external affairs manager, said an independent air quality study indicated impact on air quality and human was unlikely even in worst-case scenarios.

Mossmorran flaring.