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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
In conjunction with other local authorities and the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research, stations have been established within
the Borough for the recording of atmospheric pollution,, Three stations
have been in operation throughout the year, and are sited at
l. The Victoria Hospital for Children, Tite Street;
2. Civil Defence Headquarters, Carlyle Square; and
3. Chelsea Polytechnic, Manresa Road.
Data regarding the amount of smoke, sulphur, rainfall, etc., is
collected daily by the Public Health Inspectors, and monthly returns are
submitted to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for
collation on a nation-wide basis. From readings taken at the stations, it
emerges that there is a total annual deposit of approximately 225 tons per
sq. mile, and of this pollution it is estimated that between fifty and
sixty-five per cent. of the smoke is emitted from domestic chimneys.
The Clean Air Act. 1956. parts of which came into force during the
year will grately encourage local authorities in their efforts to reduce this
serious nuisance. Briefly, the Act aims to prohibit the emission of dark
smoke from chimneys of all buildings, and when the whole of the Act becomes
operative, if infringements occur, the responsible person or persons will be
liable, on summary conviction,, to (a) a fine of £10 if dark smoke is emitted
from the chimney of a private dwelling, or (b) to a fine not exceeding £100
when an offence occurs in respect of a chimney emitting smoke from any other
buildings. In due course, regulations will be issued by the Minister of
Health specifying certain periods during which emissions of smoke will be
permitted. When offences are established, the responsible persons will be
called upon to give sound reasons for their inability to prevent nuisances.
Frequently, a great deal of structural alteration will be unavoidable if the
emission of dark smoke is to cease, and exemption from prohibitory provisions
will be permitted for a reasonable period, during which industrial and private
buildings will have to be subjected to required works of alteration and
adaptation Such exemptions will depend upon local authorities issuing the
relevant certificates.
Practical means will have to be adopted to prevent the issue of dark
smoke from railway locomotives, and failure to take every reasonable precaution
will constitute an offence.
Where industrial furnaces are scheduled for installation, it must be
ensured that when burning fuels recommended, they emit a minimum of smoke.
When a local authority considers plans and specifications submitted to them,
and subsequently expresses approval of same, it will be considered that
adequate precautions will be maintained.
It must also be borne in mind that serious atmospheric pollution arises
from the emission of dust and grit from furnaces, and occupiers of buildings
operating furnaces which consume solid fuels or solid wastes will be expected
to explore every possible means of minimizing the emission of dust and grit,
and if it is apparent that due care is not being exercised, proceedings will
be instituted.