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75
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
(a) MEASUREMENT
In co-operation with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
and the Standing Conference of Co-operating Bodies in the Investigation of
Atmospheric Pollution, on which the Council's representatives are Mr. Councillor
Goldbaum and the Medical Officer of Health, the atmospheric pollution station
at Heme Hill Library (Lambeth No. 13) was set up, making a totalof 9 combined
smoke and sulphur dioxide atmospheric pollution stations in the Borough
In addition there are 4 stations for the measurement of superficial deposits
by standard Deposit Gauges and Lead Dioxide candles. These provide data of
local interest and are maintained on a month to month basis.
In the atmospheric pollution stations all fine suspended solid particles in
a measured volume of air in the vicinity of each station are trapped by a
"Whatman" filter paper, forming a "smoke stain" thereon. The degree of light
reflected from this stain is compared with that from an unstained filter paper and
the result computed in micrograms (of suspended matter) per CUBIC metre
(of air). In the same apparatus and at the same time gaseous pollutants, mainly
sulphur dioxide, are chemically separated by being bubbled through a neutral
dilution of hydrogen peroxide. The resultant mixture, actually sulphuric acid, is
tested by the smoke inspectors for degrees of acidity and the result computed
into micrograms (of sulphur dioxide) per CUBIC metre (of air).
In the other 4 stations mentioned, solid particles brought down by rain or
otherwise falling on the Standard Deposit Guages are determined by chemical
analysis, while the lead dioxide candles are sulphated by attack from sulphurous
gases in the atmosphere and the degree of sulphation measured by analysis.
Results are expressed as milligrams (of undisolved deposit) per SQUARE metre
per day and also in tons per square mile and milligrams (of SO3) absorbed per
day per 100 SQUARE centimetres, respectively.
It will be noted that the first mentioned results are volumetric, while the
second method refers to superficial deposit.
A few interesting facts appear to emerge from the information collected
Really
(i)The area surrounding station No. 11 (Kennington Secondary School, Hackford
Road) consists of Smoke Control Area No. 1 and records show that, so
far as atmospheric pollution by smoke is concerned, it compares equally,
if not favourably, with the areas surrounding Norwood Technical College
and Heme Hill Library (Stations Nos. 12 and 13).