View report page

49
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Clean Air Act, 1968
This Act, which amends the Clean Air Act, 1956, received the
Royal Assent on 25th October, 1968. The appointed day for
some of its provisions is 1st April, 1969, and it will be discussed
more fully in next year's report.
Smoke control areas
During the year, the London Borough of Wandsworth (No. 2)
Smoke Control Order was confirmed by the Minister of Housing
and Local Government and became operative on 1st October, 1968,
The London Borough of Wandsworth (No. 3) Smoke Control
Order was submitted to the Council at the end of the year and
was eventually made on 4th February, 1969.
A map showing existing and proposed smoke control areas
will be found opposite.
Smoke, etc., nuisances and observations
During the year, 44 complaints were made alleging nuisances
from smoke, dust, grit, etc., emitted from premises in the Borough.
All these complaints received careful and sometimes prolonged
investigation.
In addition to dealing with specific complaints, observations are
kept upon the chimneys of industrial plant in the Borough and
appropriate action is taken when necessary. During the year 246
such observations were made.
Installation of furnaces
Notification is required under Section 3 of the Clean Air Act,
1956, of any proposal to install a furnace with a heating capacity
of 55,000 or more British thermal units per hour. This Section,
which does not apply to furnaces designed solely or mainly for use
for domestic purposes, is designed to ensure that any new furnaces
installed shall be, so far as is practicable, capable of being operated
continuously without emitting smoke. Three such notifications
were received during the year.
Measurement of atmospheric pollution
Daily readings of the concentration of smoke and sulphur
dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere were continued during the year
at the three stations in the Borough where recording apparatus
is maintained. A record of these readings for the year under