Flaring which dramatically lit up the sky above Fife has reignited worries about the impact of a chemical factory on communities in its shadow.
Flames raged from the Fife Ethylene Plant so spectacularly they could be seen more than 50 miles away in Carnoustie.
Regular monitoring of the plant, run by ExxonMobil and Shell, concludes emissions pose no significant risk to public health.
However, Lochgelly and Cardenden councillor Mark Hood said the latest episode was the last straw for worried residents.
Flaring used to burn off gas during routine shut-downs, restarts and when a fault is detected has occurred four times in the last five months.
Mr Hood said: “Enough is enough. People are getting concerned at the amount of flaring. Those in Lochgelly have had to endure the light pollution, the noise and the general feeling created that this is not a nice environment to live in.”
Backing calls for time-based air quality monitors to be installed in surrounding communities, he added: “We want reassurance that there is no pollution. We also need to start involving some of the public bodies as Exxon and Shell have been quite clear they meet the requirements for operations at the plant.”
Mr Hood also called for a review of Mossmorran’s implications for the surrounding communities and for proposals to minimise them.
“We accept the plant is there and it won’t go away but how do we meet the concerns of the community and what can we do to reduce the impact?” he added.
Lochgelly community councillor George Kinnell described the technology being used at Fife Ethylene Plant, which opened 27 years ago, as antiquated.
He said: “The question that is being asked now is can the place take another 30 years?”
James Glen, who runs campaigning local website Loch of Shining Waters, said: “We have been told there is no danger to residents but there are people in Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath who feel that the plant is having an impact on people’s health. More research needs to be done.”
Commenter on this site have also expressed their fears.
Carol Russell posted: “The flames hang over us for days after. I couldn’t sleep for the light and noise coming off it. Getting really fed up with losing sleep, especially when I’m up at 4am for work.”
Before the recent incident, ExxonMobil pointed out there had been no major flaring for more than a year.
A spokesman said: “Many years of rigorous testing by party consultants … show the ExxonMobil Chemical facilities at Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay have no significant impact on air quality in the local communities and meet national and EU air quality objectives.”
He also said the plant was one of the most modern in Europe and new plants built in the US, Middle East and Singapore had similar flare systems.
He added: “The Fife Ethylene Plant began operations in 1985 and has been frequently improved and updated since then, with many millions of pounds of capital investment in the latest technology.
“The flare is a normal and vital part of keeping the plant running safely during unplanned operational interruptions or scheduled maintenance.
“It acts as a safety valve for the plant. During any interruption to operations when the plant is unable to continue its processing of ethane gas from the North Sea, the hydrocarbons are routed to the flare system.
“The liquid and vapours are combined with steam and burned off, ensuring maximum combustion of hydrocarbons, while minimising emissions into the air. We have offered in the past to assist with tree planting on private land next to the communities. We would be open to discuss such measures again.”
Sepa confirmed there appeared to be minimal environmental impact from the recent flaring but said officers continued to monitor the situation.