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23
Atmospheric Pollution.
During the year, 21 complaints were made alleging nuisances
from smoke, dust, grit, etc., emitted from premises in various parts
of the Borough. All these complaints received careful and sometimes
prolonged investigation.
In addition to dealing with specific complaints, observations are
kept upon the chimneys of any industrial plant which merits observation,
and the appropriate action taken.
A total number of 295 observations were made.
Three notices were served.
Smoke Measuring Station.
A smoke measuring station was set up in the Public Health
Department in the latter part of the year. Sufficient readings had not
been taken by the end of the year to include in this Report any information
of value. This information will be given either in figures or graph
formation in a subsequent Report.
I append a short description of the work involved.
A measured quantity of air is drawn in from the outside of the
building, and passed through a filter paper, which traps the suspended
impurities in the atmosphere, and gives a " smoke stain." The air
then passes through a bubbling tube containing dilute hydrogen peroxide
which traps the sulphur contained in the air.
Readings are taken every 24 hours. The smoke stains are matched
against a series of shades, each having a prescribed value and by calculation
the concentration of smoke in the air in milligrams per cubic
metre can be obtained.
The sulphur dioxide is removed from the air, as it passes through
the bubbling tube, and forms sulphuric acid. At the end of the day's
run, the volume of standard alkali needed to neutralise the sulphuric
acid is measured, and the average concentration of sulphur dioxide
is calculated by formula.
These calculations are sent to the Department of Scientific &
Industrial Research, who collate the information supplied by Authorities
all over the Country, and a picture can be gained of the average concentration
of smoke and sulphur dioxide in the various areas.
The daily readings are taken principally by two of the Public Health
Inspectors.
Clean Air Act, 1956.
The Clean Air Act, 1956, received the Royal Assent on the 5th
July, 1956, and the appointed day for the operation of certain provisions
of the Act was the 31st December, 1956. These provisions
related to smoke from furnaces, smoke control areas, extension
of the Alkali Works Regulation Act to cover the emission of smoke,
grit and dust from premises controlled under that Act, colliery spoil
banks, and the constitution of the Clean Air Council.
One of the most important provisions as it relates to the Council
is the authority given to establish smoke control areas. The Smoke
Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations came into operation
at the same time as the Appointed Day Order, and declare the following
fuels as authorised fuels for the purposes of the Act: —anthracite;