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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
This has been estimated to cost the country £250 million a
year. What is money, however, compared with the human suffering
that illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma, and various cardiac
conditions, aggravated by atmospheric pollution cause. The
atmosphere has also been shown to contain detectable concentrations
of benzo-pyrene and other carcinogenic compounds. There is little
point in the great advances in cardiac surgery and the production
of antibiotics if the population is still to be afflicted with dirty air
which could be avoided by careful planning.
At the present time, a small area (33.9 acres) is under consideration by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as
our first Smoke Control Area. It is essential that the establishment
of these areas should be pushed forward with the greatest vigour,
and it is the duty of the Public Health Committee to formulate a
policy to ease the load of suffering and financial loss imposed on
the community by atmospheric pollution.
If one buys a suit one expects to have to pay for it. Likewise,
if ratepayers wish to enjoy the advantages of clean air they will, no
doubt, be prepared to meet the cost provided the position is explained
to them and they see that a courageous and determined policy is to
be applied. There is no denying that the cost of suitable smokeless
fuels will be more expensive but, against this, one has to note the
saving in laundry costs and, above all, the prevention of serious
and incapacitating illnesses. Sufferers from bronchitis, asthma
and cardiac conditions often dread the approach of winter and the
November fogs. The health risks to these patients can be reduced
to a considerable extent by active steps to reduce the emission of
acrid smoke and fumes into the air by both domestic and industrial
fires.
The study of atmospheric pollution has been continued during
the year in co-operation with the Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research and the tables given hereunder show the
concentration of smoke and sulphur-dioxide, as recorded at the
Municipal Offices, and the amount of deposited matter recorded by
the deposit gauges at Brunei Road, Rotherhithe, and the Public
Health Centre, Grange Road.