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73
Pollution from oil-fired furnaces
One aspect of the atmospheric pollution problem which is causing
concern in Westminster and elsewhere is the emission from oil-fired
furnaces of very fine soot and smuts which are produced when oil is burned
in an atomised or mist form.
Investigations into this new form of pollution of the atmosphere
continued during 1962.
Air pollution from vehicles
Another aspect of atmospheric pollution which received attention
during 1962 was that relating to the emission of black and oily fumes
from vehicles on the roads. In some London boroughs a considerable
amount of heavy long-distance traffic passes along the streets, but in
Westminster the traffic of this type is mostly that using Covent Garden,
which is largely confined to the night and early morning hours.
Whilst there is no demonstrated relationship between excessive
diesel fumes and lung cancer (or, in fact, any other disease) it is recognised
that fumes from such vehicles are just as undesirable as any other form of
smoke. It must be remembered, however, that these fumes form only a
small proportion of the total pollution in London.
The emission of these fumes is likely to be considerably reduced as a
result of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment)
Regulations, 1961, which came into effect in January, 1962. These
Regulations prohibit the placing of the excess fuel device on new vehicles
within reach of the driver while the vehicle is in motion. In the past,
it has been possible for a driver to mis-use this device, to gain extra
power, but this resulted in large amounts of black exhaust and fumes
being emitted.
During 1962 a Private Members Bill—The Diesel Fumes Bill—was
presented to Parliament, which would have provided for the making of
Regulations with respect to the emission of smoke by diesel vehicles, with
penalties where this was excessive. It would also have provided for the
road-side testing of vehicles to ensure that they complied with the
Regulations. The Bill was withdrawn, on 6th April, on the promise of
action by the Government.
In Apri 1,1962, the City Council's public health inspectors were requested
to report to the Medical Officer of Health the registration number, and,
if possible, the name and address of the owner, of any vehicle seen to be
emitting an excessive amount of dark smoke.
Four such instances were observed during 1962, and in each case a
letter was sent to the owner, calling his attention to the occurrence, and
asking for his co-operation in preventing a continuance of it.