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(52)
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
Publication of the findings of the Government Committee on Air
Pollution (Beaver Report) in November, 1954, emphasised that the problem
of atmospheric pollution generally is both vast and complicated; there are
no easy solutions. Legislation to deal with the matter is at present
before Parliament in the form of a Clean Air Bill including smokeless zones,
and a review of the problem in Fulham would perhaps be of interest.
This Borough is situated in a loop of the River Thames which causes
movements of air in the form of eddies and currents. This was clearly
illustrated in the severe fog of December 1952, when the density of the
fog in Fulham was less than the surrounding Boroughs. Another factor
is that for nine months in the year the prevailing wind is from the
south-west, which means that all the sulphur dioxide and some of the
lighter solids are carried by the wind into the neighbouring Borough.
The grit problem in Fulham is therefore at its worst from January to
March when the winds are in a reciprocal direction from the north-east,
with the eddying effects becoming most apparent, or when there is
comparatively little or no wind.
The Fulham Power Station (opened on the 26th September, 1936), and
now the British Electricity Authority Power Station, was originally fitted
with a gas washing plant which was regarded as an efficient process to
eliminate the emission of grit.
In 1940 it was decided to put the gas washing plant out of action
to help put up a smoke screen to hide the course of the river Thames from
enemy aircraft.
At the end of the war many complaints were received regarding grit
emissions from the Power Station, and it was found that the gas washing
plant had deteriorated to such an extent that it could not be reinstated.
After repeated representations from the Council and receiving a delegation
appointed by a Towns Meeting, the then Chancellor, Sir Stafford Cripps,
agreed to release sufficient steel necessary to manufacture and install
grit arresting machinery, instead of gas washing plant, which was cheaper
and reputed to be just as satisfactory.
Initially the grit arresters, installed in 1950, were extremely
efficient but by 1953 the position had deteriorated and complaints were
received of large amounts of grit falling in the area.