Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Although these results show an increase in measured atmospheric
pollution in 1955 as compared with 1954, the increase might not
be entirely due to an increase in the emission of pollutants,
but might quite easily reflect different atmospheric conditions
causing pollution to be deposited, e.g. different wind conditions.
It should be borne in mind that some of the pollution being
measured in Kensington must have its origin outside the borough
boundary.
In general, the figures reflect the trend noted in my
previous report, with readings lower in summer than in winter,
and, further, deposited matter continued to be heavier in North
Kensington than in South Kensington, whereas sulphur readings
continued higher in South Kensington than in North.
Measurement of smoke and sulphur by the volumetric
method
(i) Public health department. (Readings at this station
commenced on 1st June, 1955.)
Volumetric smoke
Concentration of smoke in milligrams per cubic metre
Month 1955 | Highest value | Lowest value | Average value |
---|---|---|---|
June | .289 | .041 | .155 |
July | .447 | .086 | .207 |
August | .379 | .072 | .199 |
September | .379 | .063 | .166 |
October | .462 | .072 | .296 |
November | 1.214 | .144 | .451 |
December | 1.228 | .064 | .414 |
Volumetric sulphur
Concentration of sulphur in partsper million volumes of air
Month 1955 | Highest value | Lowest value | Average value |
---|---|---|---|
June | .234 | .021 | .094 |
July | .180 | .022 | .073 |
August | .181 | .012 | .069 |
September | .127 | .011 | .054 |
October | .221 | .028 | .103 |
November | .474 | .028 | .149 |
December | .459 | .016 | .165 |
(ii) Public library. (Readings for smoke content only
commenced at this station on 1st September, 1955.)