View report page

25
SMOKE AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
The number of smoke observations made was 480. During the year 27 complaints
of smoke nuisance or annoyance from chimneys were dealt with. A number of these were
of a temporary character and did not recur.
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 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 Meteorological Office, South Kensington, on the west, and Victoria Park, on
the east of the rain gauge at Golden Lane, are shown in the attached table.
The table also shows the rainfall for the months of January to December of the year
1936, 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.