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difficult to foresee when it will be possible for similar action to be taken in this
borough, having regard to the mixed industrial/domestic development in Islington.
A considerable addition to domestic pollution locally is occasioned by the
exhaust from diesel-engined lorries which pass through the borough to and from
the North. The Report of the Committee on Air Pollution indicated that:—
"Smoke from diesel engine exhaust can be a serious nuisance. It is discharged
at a low level and may even at times endanger driving by reducing the field
of vision. The dirt it deposits on windows, lamp-posts and other objects in
the street is objectionable and difficult to remove. Diesel smoke is unnecessary.
All the evidence agrees that diesel engines, if they are properly maintained,
properly serviced and properly driven need not emit smoke except
possibly for a short burst when starting."
The Committee, however, would not agree that even at the starting such
smoke should be tolerated, but to prevent it would require research into diesel engine
design. It recommended that the present law for the control of pollution by motor
vehicles should be more vigorously enforced.
Before the year closed a "Clean Air Bill" was before Parliament which proposed
to implement 8 of the 12 specific recommendations of the Report of the
Committee on Air Pollution. When the Bill is placed on the Statute Book a considerable
advance will be made in ensuring the maintenance of clean air. The public
have been educated to demand clean pure water and food. It should also be able
to be assured that the third essential to life, viz., air, is equally clean and pure. Not
only would people enjoy better health by breathing clean fresh air but they would
also benefit by the increased penetration of light.
The Council, aware of the importance of this subject, agreed to the fixing of
equipment for the daily recording of atmospheric pollution at the Town Hall and at
the Disinfecting Station respectively. It is hoped that this apparatus will be installed
early next year. The equipment is additional to the deposit and sulphur-dioxide
gauges which are already in use, and from which results are obtained monthly.
During the year the Council appointed two representatives, including the
Medical Officer of Health, to serve on the London and Home Counties Smoke
Abatement Advisory Council.
Number of complaints received during year 41
Number of observations 315
Number of inspections and revisits 307
Number of notices served 10
Number of notices complied with 5
Recording of Atmospheric Pollution.
A summary of the observations at the three stations in the Borough is as
follows :—