Pollution on the decrease after BP leak

AIR pollution at South Queensferry following a leak of ballast water is falling, environment chiefs have said.

The substance spilled into the Forth on Monday after a small hole emerged in the BP pipeline from the estuary to Dalmeny. Residents said it was fluorescent in colour and smelled strongly, though it later emerged the substance was made up of 99 per cent sea and rain water, and posed no health risk.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), police, fire service, NHS Lothian and BP themselves all rushed to the scene, fearing the worst.

But today, Sepa’s director of science and strategy, James Curran, said: “Air emissions are continuing to decrease, as is the discharge to the Firth of Forth.

“We will continue to monitor the discharge until it completely stops. Analysis of water samples will take place over the next few weeks.”