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23
AIR POLLUTION
As in previous years, regular measurements of air pollution have
been made with the Deposit Gauge and the Lead Peroxide apparatus installed
at the Town Hall. From these instruments monthly readings are obtained,
details of which are given in tables in this report.
Investigation into the great "Smog" of 1952 showed that throughout
London there was almost a complete lack of local information as to the
daily variation in pollution. The Fuel Research Station at Greenwich
submitted a scheme whereby instruments would be sited throughout the
Metropolitan area so that a fairly complete picture of daily pollution
could be obtained, and the adoption of this scheme was recommended by
the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee.
It was suggested by the Fuel Research Station that one instrument
should be set up in Stoke Newington, in the Allen Road area, and this was
immediately agreed to by the Public Health Committee. The site had to
be one which was representative of the area, safe from interference and
available for regular attention. The office at the Disinfecting Station
met these requirements and the apparatus was installed there in November.
The regular changing of filter discs etc., is under the care of the Disinfecting
Station staff.
The Fuel Research Station have made plans for widespread investigations
at short intervals during heavy and persistent fog in the London
area. Arrangements have been made for this newly-installed instrument
to be available in such investigation, and for two-hourly readings to be
taken when the request for these is received from Greenwich.
Increased publicity of the need for the prevention of smoke was
given by the display of posters and leaflets, while the film "Guilty
Chimneys" was among those shown to the public in October.
The implications of the Beaver report were considered by the Public
Health Committee when it was published. In Stoke Newington the
emission of smoke arises largely from domestic chimneys, and the fact
that the new Council and L.C.C. flats are all fitted with modern solid
fuel burning appliances will be a great advantage if the proposals set
out in the report are put into force.
The success of any general scheme for the prevention of smoke
from domestic chimneys must depend largely on guaranteed regular and
adequate supplies of coke, and representations have been made by the
Council to the Authorities concerned on this matter. The problem of
providing sufficient storage for coke in Council's flats is also an
important one which has been considered by the Public Health and
Housing Committees.