View report page

The monthly variation in the total solids deposited at Golden Lane is shown graphically in
Figure 1. On the graph the corresponding figures for Godalming, Walsall and Westminster have also
been plotted for comparison purposes.
1949
FIG.f. COMPARISON OF TOTAL SOLID DEPOSITED MATTER.
The mean monthly total deposit for the City for 1949 was slightly less than that recorded
immediately before the War. The respective values for these deposits, together with the corresponding
values at the three other places chosen for comparison purposes, are shown in Table 2.
Table 2.
Comparison of Total Solids deposited during 1938-9 and 1949 at Golden Lane, Godalming,
Walsall and Westminster.
Tons per square mile per month.
Station. Year ended Year ended
31/3/39 31/12/49
London—
Golden Lane 21.83 18.72
Westminster 22.30 21.32
Godalming 4.61 5.97
Walsall 19.28 15.25
Although the results of the first complete year's observations with the deposit gauge since the
end of the War suggest that there has been some improvement compared with 1939, it would be unwise
to base too definite a conclusion on the results of a single year's observations. A truer picture will be
obtained when the mean results for the next two or three years become available.
The improvement noted may be due to the decrease in fuel consumption in the neighbourhood
consequent upon the great loss of property in the City of London during the War, and the reduction
in the amount of coal available as a result of fuel rationing.
Suspended Impurity.
Suspended impurity is composed largely of smoke which is produced when coal is incompletely
burned. It is a particularly objectionable form of pollution since it reduces visibility and daylight, it
adheres to vegetation and many outdoor surfaces without being removed by rain and it easily penetrates
indoors causing dirt and probably affecting health. The domestic fire burning raw coal is the
main source of soot and tar pollution and these constituents form the major part of the visible grimy