View report page

27
One metric ton per square kilometre is equivalent approximately to 9 lbs. per
acre, or 2 56 tons per square mile. Although the presence of much impurity in the
atmosphere has been long known the figures given represent a definite record of the
facts.
In examining the foregoing table it will be appreciated that in the month of
June only, the amount of deposit registered as falling in the City amounted to
21 17 tons per square kilometre, which is equal (estimating the City as having an
area of one square mile) to no less than about 54 tons avoirdupois.
Of this mass of dirt, approximately 18 tons were soluble, and included the
chemicals mentioned, and 36 tons were insoluble and consisted of tar, carbon
and grit.
In addition to the foregoing, a daily observation has been made at mid-day at
the Guildhall of the purity of the air by a modern dry method, by which the
suspended matter can be readily demonstrated.
From the 1st January until the 31st December the amount of the impurity at
noon has varied from half a milligramme to three milligrammes per cubic metre of
air ; this latter figure includes times when there has been a fog.
It is interesting to compare the results of similar observations made at other
places, as for example, Malvern and Sheffield, where results are widely divergent.
The value of the work being carried on in connection with the examination of the
atmosphere in the City is evident, and the details recorded indicate the necessity
of its continuation.
At the beginning of the year the Bishopsgate Ward Club forwarded to the
Corporation the following resolution unanimously passed by their members
"That the Bishopsgate Ward Club after hearing a lecture on 'Coal Smoke Curse'
"by Dr. Caleb William Saleeby, with descriptions of the curative and hygienic properties
"of sunlight, commends the object of the Smoke Abatement Committee which has now
"published its final report and asks the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health to promote
"the legislation asked for in the report."
The Sanitary Committee were in general sympathy with the terms of the
above resolution, although some of the proposals of the Smoke Abatement Committee
are such as will doubtless promote controversy among local authorities.
For example, one recommendation (4) suggests that the duty of enforcing the law
with regard to the pollution of the air by smoke should be transferred from local
sanitary authorities to county authorities leaving minor authorities with power to
take proceedings should they so decide. Another (5) proposes that the Minister of
Health should be empowered to form joint Committees and another (6) suggests
that the Minister of Health should assign to one or more competent officers the
duty of advising and assisting local authorities in this matter.
The Sanitary Committee gave very careful consideration to the entire report, a
copy of which was circulated to each member, and on their recommendation the
Court of Common Council recommended that the Ministry of Health be urged to
give effect to the report, particularly in regard to the following recommendations,
viz.:—
That the Minister of Health should be given clearly-defined power to compel or act in
place of any defaulting authority which refuses to perform its duty in administering the law
with regard to smoke.
That the general legal obligation on all manufacturers, users and occupiers of any
business premises or processes, engines or plant of any description whatever, should be to use
the best practicable means, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, for avoiding
the pollution of the air by smoke, grit or any other noxious emissions ; that the same law
should also apply to all Government establishments and all rail and road locomotives and
motor cars of whatever weight or type, and to steamers on rivers, estuaries and lakes.
It ought clearly to be understood that questions of cost must be taken into account in
determining what is practicable.
That the Minister of Health should be empowered to fix standards from time to time,
and in any case, in which the emission exceeds the standard so fixed, the onus of the proof
that the manufacturer is using the best practicable means should be on the manufacturer.
That the law should enable much larger fines to be imposed than at present.
That legislation should be introduced at an early date with a view to consolidating in
one measure the various existing statutory provisions with regard to the pollution of the air
by smoke, and providing for their amendment where necessary to give effect to the above
recommendations.