London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Readings from the two monthly stations in Kensington have now extended over four years, and it is possible to compare the results.
| Year | No. of days exposed | Total weight of deposited matter in tons per square mile | Daily average of sulphur in milligrams of sulphur trioxide | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Kensington | South Kensington | North Kensington | South Kensington | ||
| 1954 | 364 | 205.11 | 181.47 | 2.15 | 2.57 |
| 1955 | 367 | 227.73 | 191.70 | 2.32 | 2.77 |
| 1956 | 365 | 207.82 | 191.75 | 2.56 | 2.81 |
| 1957 | 365 | 200.11 | 172.99 | 2.25 | 2.42 |
Measurement of smoke and sulphur by the volumetric method
| 1957 | Volumetric smoke Concentration of smoke in milligrams per cubic metre Average daily values at:- | Volumetric sulphur Concentration of sulphur in parts per million volumes of air Average daily values at:- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health Department | Public Library | South Kensington Welfare Centre | Public Health Department | |
| January | .149 | .282 | .169 | 9.3 |
| February | .242 | .204 | .200 | 11.2 |
| March | .218 | .289 | .371 | 13.5 |
| April | .172 | .235 | .262 | 9.0 |
| May | .094 | .l79 | .180 | 5.4 |
| June | .126 | .145 | .160 | 5.2 |
| July | .102 | .171 | .193 | 4.2 |
| August | .098 | .166 | .189 | 4.7 |
| September | .125 | .205 | .164 | 5.2 |
| October | .156 | .337 | .246 | 10.9 |
| November | .167 | .341 | .268 | 10.9 |
| December | .288 | .352 | .253 | 16.4 |
General observations
The results obtained in 1957 indicate a lessening in the measured
atmospheric pollution as compared with previous years. Pollution has
continued higher during winter months, falling to a minimum in the summer.
Deposited matter again has been heavier in North Kensington than
in South Kensington, but, as in previous years, the sulphur content of the
air has been higher in South Kensington than in North Kensington.
On the 4th December, 1957, a warning of persistent fog was
issued. Special readings for smoke and sulphur were made at two-hourly
intervals, throughout the days of the 4th and 5th December at the Public
Health Department Station, and the results obtained were immediately
supplied to the Fuel Research Station for correlation with other results
obtained elsewhere in the London area.
Action taken in regard to Smoke Nuisances
During the year there were eighteen complaints of smoke nuisance