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27
SMOKE AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
Thirteen instances of smoke nuisance or annoyance from chimneys were dealt
with during the year. Some of these were of a temporary character and did not
recur, others were abated upon service of the usual form of notice upon the offenders
and there has been no occasion to take further action.
As mentioned in previous Reports, the annoyance and the evil from coal smoke
cannot satisfactorily be dealt with by law until the enactments at present in force
are strengthened or amended. Much dirt and discomfort from smoke continues,
although to a distinctly lesser degree than in former years, and for which the enormous
number of the chimneys, domestic and otherwise, in and surrounding Greater
London is largely responsible. Difficulties in the way of obtaining suitable coal
and coke are still stated to be a source of trouble at times.
A critical examination of the air in the City was commenced in the year 1914,
in conjunction with the Committee for the Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution,
appointed by the International Exhibition and Conference in London, 1912.
A large rain gauge is mounted upon the roof of one of the Corporation's buildings
in Golden Lane, and the rain.water from a known area of surface is collected
monthly. This rain.water, containing the soot, grit and dust washed from the
air, has been submitted for examination to the Public Analyst and the results
tabulated. For comparison the results obtained from similar observations made
at the Archbishop's Park, Lambeth, by the London County Council, are shown in
the attached table.
The table also shows the rainfall for the months of January to December
of the year 1924, and the amounts found of insoluble matter, tar, soot and dust,
also the soluble matter, together with the sulphates, ammonia and chlorine in the
volume collected.
The results as given by the Public Analyst have been re.calculated into metric
tons per square kilometre during each month.
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 table it will be appreciated that in the month of July only,
the amount of deposit registered as falling in the City amounted to 20.96 tons
per square kilometre, which is equal (estimating the City as having an area of
one square mile) to no less than about 53.6 tons avoirdupois.
Of this mass of dirt, approximately 24.9 tons were soluble, and included the
chemicals mentioned, and 28.7 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 six milligrammes per cubic metre of
air ; this latter figure includes times when there has been a fog.
For many years past it has been increasingly obvious that the use of electricity
and gas for heating and cooking purposes is contributing to the diminution of the
nuisance from smoke. The cost of electricity is still far too great for its general use,
but I believe the substitution of gas for coal and coke in restaurants and business
premises is practicable and might be more generally adopted if the gas companies