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(b) Absorption and elimination of ultra-violet rays from sunshine.
It has been calculated that London loses 300 hours of sunshine
per year through fog and smoke and it is a fact that lung cancer in
urban areas if noticeably higher than in rural areas. It is possible
that the connection between cancer deaths and lack of sunshine
could be either that a smoky atmosphere predisposes to lung cancer
or that sunshine is important in its prevention.
Under the influence of ultra-violet rays, the ergosterol cf the
skin is stimulated to manufacture vitamin 'D,' an essential for the
anabolism of healthy bones and teeth. Deficiency of vitamin 'D'
leads to rickets and dental caries.
(c) Vegetation becomes stunted.
It is pertinent to record that the plane tree, which sheds its
bark annually, is practically the only tree to flourish in the London
area.
(d) Damage to buildings.
Sulphur dioxide appears to be the culprit in this respect. At
York Minster holes more than 9" deep have been discovered as a
result of this form of corrosion, and magnesium sulphate crystals
were found in cracks and fissures 20" from the surface of the stonework
of the Houses of Parliament. The Office of Works calculates
that damage to buildings by the acid amounts to more than
£60,000,000 over a 25-year period.
(e) Avoidable waste of material which could be of immense value
to the community.
A former Minister of Fuel and Power pointed out that 82% of
the heat potential of coal is lost by wasteful methods and to reduce
that loss to 72% would result in a saving of some 60 million tons of
coal per year.
Dr. A. Parker, Director of the Fuel Research Station at Greenwich,
commenting on atmospheric polluton, stated that: " it has
been estimated that from the 150 million tons of coal burnt raw
during the year, 7 m'llion goes straight up into the air in the form
of grit, sulphur dioxide and tarry smoke. It costs the country
£50,000,000 a year in loss of fuel, repairs, losses to property and
materials and in cleaning up the mess."
(/) Increase in laundry costs.
An enquiry made just before the recent war revealed the fact
that the weekly wash at Manchester took one hour longer than at