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21
Smoke emissions. The Sections of the Clean Air Act, 1956, which relate
to industrial smoke came into force on 1st June, 1958. Up to that date
emissions of industrial smoke were dealt with under the provisions of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
The provisions mainly affecting the Council are contained in
Section 1, which prohibits the emission of dark smoke (except for certain
periods laid down by regulation) and Section 16 which deals with smoke
nuisances.
During the year, 36 complaints of smoke nuisance were received and
14 formal smoke observations were carried out. Remedial measures in all
cases were secured without further proceedings.
Routine measurement of atmospheric pollution. The two stations used by
the Council for measuring atmospheric pollution by means of deposit gauges
were discontinued as from 1st January, 1963.
The three smoke measuring stations set up at the following premises
have, however, continued to operates-
(1) Public Health Department, Hornton Street, W.8.
(2) Public Library, Ladbroke Grove, W.10.
(3) L„C.C0 Child Welfare Centre, Redcliffe Street, S.W.10.
The equipment at the Public Health Department consists of a smoke
filter and a hydrogen peroxide bubbling apparatus. The smoke filter
measures the daily concentration of smoke suspended in the atmosphere, and
the hydrogen peroxide bubbler extracts the sulphur dioxide content of the
atmosphere. Readings are taken each day. The equipment at the Public
Library and the Welfare Centre consists of smoke filters only. Measurements
axe taken three times a week. With the use of a Reflectometer, daily and
monthly averages are calculated from the results.
The work undertaken in Kensington is a small part of that taking
place throughout the country, and all results are forwarded to the Fuel
Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for
correlation with results obtained in all other districts.
Enission of smoke in the London area has decreased by about sixty
per cent in the last ten years, according to estimates by Warren Spring
Laboratory, DSIR.* This is considered to be due mainly to the decrease
in domestic smoke pollution.
On the other hand, increasing use of fuel oil by industry and of
coal and fuel oil by power stations has brought an estimated increase of
32 per cent in sulphur dioxide emissions. Estimates for the whole country
are 35 per cent less smoke emission and 23 per cent more sulphur dioxide in
the last ten years.
*Warren Spring Laboratory Annual Report 1963
NOISE ABATEMENT ACT. 1960
This Act came into operation on 27th November, 1960. Under
Section 1 any noise or vibration which would amount to a nuisance at
common law is deemed to be a statutory nuisance which can be dealt with
according to the procedure provided in Part III of the Public Health Act,
1936.