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39
It is possible that legal proceedings will arise from this
nuisance but inasmuch as "smoke includes soot (etc.) emitted in smoke"
(definition in Clean Air Act) and this nuisance arises at times when
offending chimneys are completely free of visible smoke, there is
some doubt in the matter.
Positive steps which have been taken include new injector
pumps, a complete change of fuel oil (from 200 sec to 35 sec) and increase
of permanent air irSets to the boiler rooms. By the end of 1958
the plant was running free of nuisance but I cannot report that I am
fully satisfied no further trouble will arise.
The Public Health Inspectors have dealt with complaints due
to inconsiderate use of bonfires and incinerators and have advised on
the lighting of domestic boilers, etc. where annoyance was being caused
to some neighbour. Pour cases of nuisance from carbon smuts from newly
installed oil-fired plants, have been dealt with but in truth have
really cured themselves as the plant "settled in" and received routine
adjustments.
Measurements of Air Pollution
Cooperation with the Fuel Research Station in the operation
of measuring instruments has continued through 1958. At the Public
Health Department a continuous filter which indicates sulphur dioxide
and general smoke concentrations has been operated daily, At another
point in the Borough static instruments which also provide information
on general air pollution and sulphur activity have been recorded monthlyo
The results for these instruments have been supplemented
by an experiment in which three schools were provided with continuous
filters. The purpose In this was a dual one, in that it was felt that
operation of the apparatus would provide a useful practical exercise
for the students, while the results would provide some indication of
variations in air pollution levels at different points in the Borough.
Because of the weekly school break from Friday to Monday
and, of course, the long school holidays, the results obtained from
these Instruments are not acceptable for inclusion in the published
statistics. The Idea has much merit and the results so obtained are
most interesting. Unfortunately, at one school repeated breakages of
the expensive equipment have been suffered and also there has been a
marked inconsistenoy in the results recorded. I would like to thank
the Headmasters, members of the teaching staffs and the pupils for
their assistance with this experiment.
This work on the measurement of air pollution has now
continued for some six years,, The most recent information showed
that over 300 bodies were cooperating in this work and between them