London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Stoke Newington 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stoke Newington, The Metropolitan Borough]
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19.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
During 1960 the measurement of atmospheric pollution has been continued,
using the deposit gauge, lead perioxide cylinder and the apparatus
for daily readings of smoke and sulphur dioxide. The results of the
investigations are shown in the attached tables. The daily readings were
made at the Old Town Hall, in an area not yet affected by Smoke Control
Orders.
In addition, daily readings of smoke and sulphur dioxide were made at
Woodberry Down, where a Smoke Control Order has been in force since 1959.
A comparison of the results from these two sites shows appreciably lower
readings for smoke in the Woodberry Down area. Not only are the monthly
results lower, but the daily smoke figures are consistently lower, as
shown in the graph for a typical month's readings.
The graph for sulphur dioxide comparing the readings for the same
month does not show any reduction in this type of pollution.
The tables give readings for smoke and sulphur dioxide at Woodberry
Down for the whole year.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION-TABLE 1 DEPOSIT GAUGE
| Month | Rainfall in Inches | Tons Der Sauare Mile | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soluble Matter | Insoluble Matter | Total Solids | ||
| January | 1.54 | 9.01 | 5.68 | 14.69 |
| February | 2.01 | 9.64 | 6.14 | 15.78 |
| March | 1.45 | 10.30 | 11.39 | 21.69 |
| April | 0.32 | 2.87 | 5.15 | 8.02 |
| May | 1.64 | 4.23 | 8.22 | 12.45 |
| June | 1.22 | 3.53 | 8.52 | 12.05 |
| July | 3.07 | 7.00 | 6.04 | 13.04 |
| August | 2.25 | 4.33 | 6.60 | 10.93 |
| September | 4.37 | 7.07 | 6.30 | 13.37 |
| October | 4.73 | 11.49 | 10.47 | 21.96 |
| November | 3.09 | 10.43 | 8.59 | 19.02 |
| December | 2.09 | 4.03 | 5.08 | 9.11 |