London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wanstead and Woodford 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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Some further figures are given below which deal with smoke and
sulphur dioxide recordings and will be found useful in connection
with the above table:—
Smoke:—
Average for year 19
Average for winter months 32
Average for summer months 6
Highest daily recording 153
Lowest daily recording 1
Sulphur Dioxide:—
Average for year 5.5
Average for winter months 8
Average for summer months 3
Highest daily recording 38
Lowest daily recording 0.4
Pollution Measurement in "Smog"
During 1955 it was agreed with the Fuel Research Station that at
"Smog" periods additional readings would be taken. The Fuel
Research Station receive warnings from the Meteorological Office,
notify us and the readings are then taken at approximately 9.00, 12.00
14.00 and 16.00 hours.
Fog was experienced on November 30th and December 1st with the following readings:—
| Date | Time | Smoke (mg/100m3) | Sulphur Dioxide (p.p.100m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 30th | 9.30 | 41 | 11 |
| 12.0 | 126 | 37 | |
| 14.00 | 126 | 53 | |
| 16.15 | 76 | 32 | |
| December 1st | 9.00 | 72 | 21 |
| 11.45 | 54 | 20 |
The Fuel Research Station notified that the "smog" period was
over so no more special readings were taken, but the fog re-appeared
fairly dense, at night, and the day after the reading was as follows:
December 2nd 13.45 130 34
22