View report page

11
because of the possible strain on the load, other forms
of direct heating by electricity should for the present
be discouraged.
In view of this information, it became necessary to
review the estimates for Smoke Control Area No.5, on the
basis of providing appliances capable of burning hard coke,
which are more costly. This has brought about a considerable
delay, for reasons outside the control of the Council,
in the progress of the Clean Air Programme, the benefits
of which were shown during the fogs of last winter, but
it is hoped that this will be no more than a temporary
s etback.
Atmospheric Pollution
There are two volumetric instruments for measuring
atmospheric pollution - one at the Town Mall and the other
a t 475 Lordship Lane. The Department of Scientific and
industrial Research selected both these stations to
Participate in the national survey of atmospheric pollution
a nd a research project involving studies in smoke and
s ulphur dioxide pollution. For the latter project, threehourly
samples of smoke and SO2 are recorded during
Periods of persistant fog and the results are forwarded
to the D.S.I.R. at Warren Spring Laboratory. Certain
changes in the apparatus and techniques were necessary
for this purpose in order to ensure greater accuracy and
uniformity in the assessment of smoke and SO2 concentrations.
For example, prior to 1963, all 'smoke stains'
were recorded on filter papers held in one-inch diameter
clamps by means of a five pound weight. These have now
been replaced as follows:-
(1) For normal week-day recordings - two inch diameter
clamps.
(2) For week-end recordings (two days) - four inch
diameter clamps.
In addition, all filter papers are now secured in screwdown,
air tight clamps.
On pages & of the statistical appendix there are
graphs showing the readings obtained from these instruments
during 1963, and for comparative purposes during 1959 -
the year before the first smoke control order came into
Operation in the Borough. It will be noted that the
concentration of smoke shows a marked improvement.