View report page

42
The matter was investigated, and the following special report was presented to the
Public Health Committee:—
Atmospheric Pollution with Arsenical Dust.
This report is presented in consequence of a complaint which was received in June
last concerning the quantity of dust stated to be discharged from the chimneys of the
Council's Electric Light Works.
The complaint, which came from a business firm, stated that not only was the dust
a nuisance, but that samples of it collected from the roof and yard of their premises had
been analysed by their chemist, who reported that it contained arsenic to the extent of
125 parts per million. The opinion was expressed that the continued administration of
arsenic which would occur by inhalation of the dust and also by the consumption of food
which had been contaminated with it (when exposed in provision and other shops in the
neighbourhood) might be deleterious to health.
As special appliances are installed in the Electric Light Works in order to prevent
any nuisance being caused by the discharge of dust, it was unlikely that the nuisance
came from the source alleged. Apart, however, from the question of dust, the presence
of so much arsenic appeared to render the subject sufficiently important to warrant
further investigation.
Samples of dust were, therefore, taken from the roof, rain.water gutter and chimney
shaft of the Electric Light Station, from similar situations in the premises of the firm
making the complaint, and also from two other factories in the vicinity. These are
described in the report as factories A, B and C respectively. Samples of dust were also
taken from the yard, roof and flue of the Council's Refuse Destructor which adjoins the
Electric Light Works.
The samples were submitted to Mr. J. Kear Colwell, F.I.C., the Public Analyst, who
reported as follows:—
1. Flue Dust.
Source of sample. Arsenic (As2 03) Paris per million.
Electric Light Works (1) 7.0
„ „ (2) 14.0
Refuse Destructor 100.0
Factory A 400.0
„ B 500.0
„ C 450.0
2. Dust from Rain Water Gutters.
Electric Light Works 100.0
Refuse Destructor (Yard) 150.0
Factory A 200.0
„ B 150.0
„ C (Yard) 200.0
3. Dust from Roof.
Electric Light Works 175.0
Refuse Destructor 50.0
Factory A 130.0
„ B 120.0
„ C 150.0
4. Pulverised Coal.
Electric Light Works 3.0