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
Brentford and Chiswick 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
During 1950 the first station for the investigation of
atmospheric pollution was set up at the Health Department premises,
Turnham Green. After a trial period routine observations were taken
daily from 1st August.
Measurements of the smoke contamination and of the quantity of
sulphur dioxide pollution of the air were recorded for each 24 hours
period. The figures in addition to being reported to the Committee
are sent to the Fuel research Station of the Department of Scientific
and Industrial research who thereupon compare the degree of pollution
with those that obtain in all other areas of the country sharing in
the experiment.
The second station at Glifden Hoad Baths, Brentford was
prepared for recordings to be taken as from 1st January, 195l«
Results obtained for the last five months of 1950 from the Chiswick Station are as follows:-
| Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Daily Average | Sulphur Dioxide | 0.030 | 0.05l | 0.l64 | 0.300 | 0.219 |
| Smoke | 0.093 | 0.120 | 0.304 | 0.446 | 0.462 | |
| Monthly Average | Sulphur Dioxide | 0.019 | 0.026 | 0.061 | 0.074 | 0.103 |
| Smoke | 0.039 | 0.040 | 0.115 | 0.165 | 0.205 |
In these figures smoke is shown as milligrammes per cubic metre
of air and sulphur dioxide as parts per million volumes of air.
The graph on page 38 shows the gradual rise in pollution
during the latter months of the year which was to be expected.
It was rather interesting to compare the local results with
those from other parts of the country as published in the monthly
bulletins of the Department of Scientific and Industrial itesearch. In
graph D the results from Leeds, Central London and Lerwick are
compared with the Chiswick figure for smoke, and it will be observed
that the local result comes half way between the pure air of a
completely free district and that of Central London.
In the Department,.complaints are received from time to time
concerning specific pollution by smoke from factories etc., and it is
significant that the results for Chiswick during the month of August,
when domestic fires would be at a minimum although factories would be
working almost at Winter level, are very good indeed.
It is early as yet to deduce much from the results obtained and
a more useful picture should be available as a result of the 1951 full
twelve months recordings at stations in separate parts of the Borough
with different atmospheric pollution problems.
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