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and their products. There are other pollutants formed but it is this
quantity of acidic material which is the main cause of damage by
air pollution modestly estimated at a rate of some £250 million
per year. He has also stated that a great deal of the atmospheric
dust is ash of widely varying chemical composition arising from
coal fired furnaces and it is these acid coated particles which on
deposition initiate severe metal erosion.
However, air pollution is no longer merely the discharge into
the atmosphere of simple products of combustion of the common
fuels but nowadays includes industrial effluents of varying complexities,
including those emitted from internal combustion engines.
It follows that as industries develop and expand so the population
becomes exposed to greater danger and the means of control
becomes progressively more difficult.
Measurement of the quantity and quality of some of the
pollutants is often hampered by reason of its complication and
expense.
Nevertheless a great deal of unobtrusive work has been performed
and much has been achieved in the field of clean air and.
perhaps what is more significant, we have a much clearer idea of
the problems.
Clean Air Act, 1956. Provisions relating to the installation of
new furnaces, smoke control areas, height of chimneys, research
and publicity, came into operation on the 31st December. 1956,
whilst the remaining provisions became effective on the 1st June,
1958.
In accordance with the Alkali, etc. Works Order, 1958, the
Minister of Housing and Local Government has indicated the works
located in the Borough which will be subject to the control of the
Alkali Inspector under the Alkali, etc. Works Regulation Act.
1906 ; the works will include such industries as metal smelting and
synthesis, gas works, electricity generation, etc. In these instances,
however, it is understood that the Alkali Act deals only with the
particular processes which are registered under the Act. Any other
works, processes or plant carried on or operated at the premises—
e.g. ordinary power plant fired by coal or oil—will not come under
the Alkali Act but will be subject to the relevant provisions of the
Clean Air Act, 1956.
A Smoke Inspector and an Assistant are employed full time on
duties in connection with atmospheric pollution and with the surveying
and supervising of smoke control areas.
Under Section 11 of the above-mentioned Act, detailed inspection
was completed of the Council's second smoke control area
which obtained Ministry approval on the 24th July, 1961.