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Lead in the Atmosphere
Great interest was aroused early in the year arising from a circular letter from the department of Health and
Social Security to all Medical Officers of Health in December 1971 regarding the health hazards from
extensive emissions of lead in food, water, soil and the atmosphere. With the atmosphere very much in mind,
because young children and pregnant mothers are more susceptible than the average male population to lead
toxicity, in February 1972 the Government's Alkali Inspector was requested to inspect the only two lead
industrial plants in Hammersmith known to be engaged in the manufacture and assembly of battery plates for
car batteries. In March 1972 the Inspector reported that tests carried out at both plants revealed the lead
content to be well below the threshold limit of 0.2 milligrammes percubic metre, so that the health hazard was
minimal. The owner of these plants is currently negotiating for alternative sites outside the Borough, and all
operations ceased in December 1972. The premises are now used only for storage and distribution. However,
although these particular emissions of lead did not constitute a hazard to health, it is proposed in 1973 to
monitor samples of the soil and especially the atmosphere as it is k nown that a source of lead in the atmosphere
emanates from the lead content of petrol which is emitted from the exhaust system of motor vehicles.
CLEAN AIR ACT. 1956
Notification to Install New Furnaces—Section 3(3)
Oil fired furnaces 5
Gas fired furnaces 7
12
Application for Prior Approval to the Installation of New Furnaces Section 3(2)
Applications received 8
Applications approved 8
CLEAN AIR ACT, 1968
Grit and Dust Emissions—Section 2(4)
Number of contraventions received 5
Application for Approval of Chimney Heights—Section 6
Applications received 8
Applications approved 7
Applications refused 1
AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS
Source of Pollution No. of Contraventions Recorded
Smoke from chimneys 30
Smoke from demolition sites and bonfires 25
Smuts from chimneys 8
Grit, dust and fume emissions 5
Odours from combustion processes 2
'Watchdog' Activities
In all cases complaints are investigated. Quite often verbal intimation is sufficient to abate the nuisance.
Where necessary, this is followed up by written notification.
Emphasis must be always on achieving a reduction in air pollution on a permanent basis with the maximum
of voluntary co-operation as well as by statutory enforcement.
Visits to the offending premises to discuss the problems with management, including the tendering of
advise, often result in the replacement of obsolescent plant and the adoption of new techniques and methods
of smokeless combustion. These methods, perhaps not so spectacular, are just as effective in the long run.
Another silent service is the approval of new plant and chimneys before installation to ensure that smokeless
combustion and operation can be achieved in practice and not just on the drawing board.
However, the best 'watchdog' of all is the public whose interest in achieving clean air can always be
measured by the number of complaints received.
B17