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Emission of Smoke
On the domestic front notwithstanding local shortages of certain solid
smokeless fuels the use of bituminous coal in smoke control areas was very
limited no doubt due to the new powers under Section 9 of the Clean Air
Act 1968 which made the acquisition and sale by retail of unauthorised fuel
in a smoke control area an offence from the 1st April 1970. Another mitigating
factor was the swing over to gas and electric heating even in those properties
which had previously been converted to burn solid smokeless fuel.
Non-domestic premises occasionally give rise to smoke emissions but
these are usually of a temporary nature owing to mechanical trouble or
inefficient operation. Again informal action sufficed to minimise these
emissions.
Fulham Hospital
The redevelopment of Fulham Hospital made good progress and in December
the new boiler house was commissioned. This has removed a source of smoke
pollution from the old boiler house which in the past often gave rise to
many complaints from the nearby residential properties.
Fulham Power Station
The change-over from coal to oil firing continued. No.2 boilerhouse
is nearly converted and should be finished early in 1971 and plans are
being drawn up similarly to convert No.l boilerhouse by the end of 1971.
This boilerhouse changer-over when completed should remove a source of
smoke pollution in the south of the Borough. An oil fuel with a low sulphur
content is being used to ensure low emissions of sulphur dioxide. No doubt
there will be a settling-in period to allow the staff to familiarise themselves
with the new plant and the different firing technique and it is
hoped that any teething troubles will be reduced to a minimum. However it
should be realised that until the change-over is complete some coal fired
boilers are still in use alongside the newly converted oil fired boilers
and some smoke emissions may still occur from time to time.
Atmospheric Pollution
Four recording stations for the measurement of smoke and sulphur dioxide
are in the North, Centre and South of the Borough. Records show that the
trend towards the reduction of pollution is being maintained. Solid
pollutants (Smoke and Grit) have been reduced to l/5th of the pre-1956 level,
and sulphur dioxide is down by l/3rd.
Exhust fumes from petrol diesel driven vehicles still remain a source
of low level pollution. Legislation has been introduced by the Government
under the Road Traffic Acts to deal with diesel driven vehicles, but no
legislation has yet been confirmed to reduce the pollution from the exhausts
of petroleum vehicles. 1970 is European Conservation Year and in America
and on the Continent legislation has been passed affecting petrol driven
vehicles. Notwithstanding that there is no direct conclusive medical
evidence that the emission of pollutants are dangerous to health on amenity
grounds alone a strong case can be made for similar legislation to be
enacted in the United Kingdom. It is hoped that the Government will take
action as soon as possible.
Clean Air Act 1968 - Height of Chimneys
Under Section 6 the Council is empowered to approve the chimney height
to the following furnaces with effect from 1st April 1969:-
B. 20