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3.Exploratory work in connection with the Clean Air
Act, 1956.
In the first of these connections, 21 complaints were
received of alleged nuisances from smoke or grit emissions and
a total of 419 observations, inspections and interviews was
made by the Public Health Inspector to determine if nuisances
existed and to effect remedies. The nuisances established were
diverse and included smoke and smells caused by the burning of
old tyres at a car-breakers; severe grit emission from large
automatic-feed coal boilers at a hostel; an industrial furnace
which had been converted to burn sump oil but which was being
fired with wood and coke and excessive smoke emission from the
chimney of a Nurses' home.
All such cases were dealt with by advice and cooperation and results generally varied from complete abatement
of nuisance to considerable and continuing improvements.
A few sporadic complaints have recurred regarding
emission from the numerous railway tunnel ventilating shafts
scattered throughout the Borough.
There are more main railway lines running through
Hampstead than any other London Borough and, although the
attention of British Railways is immediately drawn to any
complaint regarding excessive smoke, etc. emission from their
shafts, it would not appear possible completely to eliminate
this trouble until their long term policy of electrification
and/or substitution of steam engines with Diesel oil-fired engines
is completed.
The measurement of variations of air pollution
has continued in collaboration with the Fuel Research Station.
Monthly results from deposit gauges and lead peroxide instruments
at Barrow Hill Reservoir and Fortune Green Road Cemetery
have been recorded and passed on for inclusion in the national
survey. Daily readings of smoke and sulphur dioxide concentrations
have been taken from the continuous filter at the Public
Health Department and I append Tables to illustrate that the
concentration of sulphur dioxide in the air of Hampstead is
consistently below that prevailing in London generally.
The Clean Air Act, 1956 (Appointed Day) Order, 1956
brought into operation, as from the 31st December, 1956, the
provisions of the Act relating to smoke from furnaces, Smoke