View report page

213
realistic concentrations of coal smoke have failed to produce constriction.
The Unit's conclusion was that something other than
this S02 in the London atmosphere was producing constricting
effects and that it had isolated a water soluble extract of smoke
which apparently acts as a histamine potentiator.
Carbon monoxide, a form of pollution produced by petrol engines,
has long been considered harmful but the Research Unit has been
unable to confirm this. What has been revealed is that higher
levels of carboxyhaemoglobin are found in smokers than in nonsmokers
exposed to rush-hour traffic.
It is clear that there is a real need to control air pollution but
there is also no doubt that standards of air purity cannot be established
without some sound scientific evidence.
With a figure of 74% of its premises in smoke control areas,
Greater London maintains its substantial lead over other regions
in the country. Even so, the percentage for Greenwich at almost
77% compares more than favourably with this figure.
Clean Air Acts, 1956 and 1968
Smoke Control Areas
West Greenwich
In the summer, preliminary arrangements for the formation of
the West Greenwich Smoke Control Area were completed and the
Council declared the Area on 1st August, 1968. Details of the Area
are as follow:—
This is an Area of predominantly private property comprising
some 530 acres and 6,134 dwellings of which it is estimated 3,736
will require some form of conversion or adaptation. Of the total
dwellings 743 are Borough Council, 1,865 Greater London Council
and 3,526 privately owned and, in addition, there are 580 nondomestic
premises. The Minister of Housing and Local Government
confirmed 1st December, 1969, as the operative date of the
Area Order.
Little Heath, St. Nicholas, Woolwich Town Centre
and thamesmead
On the same date as the West Greenwich Smoke Control Area
was declared, the Council approved in principle the Little Heath,
St. Nicholas and Woolwich Town Centre Smoke Control Areas
with a view to the making of Orders in the summer of 1969. These
Areas respectively comprise approximately 150, 80 and 130 acres
and 1,320, 1,400 and 290 dwellings. Earlier in the year the Council
also approved in principle the making of a Smoke Control Order
of that part of Thamesmead site situated in the Borough and comprising
1,138 acres approximately.