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54
Emission of sulphur dioxide continues to engage the attention
of research teams for it is conceded that this commodity is really
the dangerous constituent of atmospheric pollution. So far no convenient
and inexpensive method has been found for its elimination,
although it has been estimated that a general change from open coal
fires to closed stoves would reduce the sulphur dioxide content of
the atmosphere to one third of its present level.
At first glance the obvious solution to the smoke problem seems
to be either a replacement of the open coal fire with one of gas
or electricity or a change to some other form of smokeless fuel.
However, each new method of heating faces objections, some
serious such as higher costs, unsatisfactory fuels and installations,
local shortages and lack of storage space, etc., and some not so
serious such as interference with personal liberty or that fumes are
greater with the new smokeless fuels, all of which have to be countered
in one way or another. Fortunately the present clean air
policy coincides with the public's demand for cleaner and more
efficient heating systems for the home. Nevertheless a great deal
of prejudice has to be overcome especially in the smaller homes
where the "cost" item is paramount.
The London Fog—3rd-7th December, 1962.—A fog which
became progressively denser, developed over much of South-East
England and particularly over London during the evening of
Monday, 3rd December and visibility came down to 10 yards or
less in many places. Although some temporary improvement was
evident on the following Wednesday the fog again thickened and
did not disperse until Friday, 7th December.
Weather conditions were as unfavourable to the dispersal of
pollutants as in the London fog of 1952. Visibility this time was
generally better but sulphur dioxide concentration levels, although
as high as previously, were of shorter duration.
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at
Warren Spring Laboratory have indicated that pollution was up
to 10 times as great as normal and that during the smog there was
an excess of nitric oxide over other oxides of nitrogen as compared
with the usual pattern.
Full details are not yet available but it is clear that death
and sickness rates were substantially lower than in the 1952 episode
and it may well be that when all information and statistics
have been collated it will be found that operation of the Clean
Air Act has contributed in no small measure to this improvement.