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8
On atmospheric pollution in the City over the whole year 1952, Mr. McGrath, who is responsible
for taking the daily observations, reports as follows:—
"Table I is a summary of the observations for the year 1952 of rainfall, deposited matter
and sulphur dioxide. The deposited matter, expressed in tons per square mile, is divided into
total insoluble deposit and total soluble deposit. The sulphur dioxide figures give a rate of
sulphation as measured by the lead peroxide instrument and are expressed in milligrams of
sulphur trioxide per day per 100 square centimetres. The table also contains the concentration
of smoke and sulphur dioxide by the volumetric method, the smoke being expressed as milligrams
per 100 cubic metres, and the sulphur dioxide as parts per 100 million parts of air.
For purposes of comparison there is set out at the foot of the Table the average figures for
each of the four complete years since 1948, the year when atmospheric pollution measurements
were recommenced in the City after the war. It will be seen that the rainfall for 1952 was much
less than that of the previous year, and, as a consequence, the total solids deposited was less—
20.19 tons per square mile compared with 26.75 tons. Although this solid soot, grit and dust is
a nuisance, and indicates a considerable loss of fuel due to its incomplete combustion, the acid
pollution is probably much more serious. Therefore, it is of some satisfaction to note from the
Table that the average sulphur pollution for the year measured by the lead peroxide instruments
in Finsbury Circus Gardens and Golden Lane is the lowest recorded in the last four years.
An examination of the figures of the concentration of smoke in the air, measured by the
volumetric method at Golden Lane, shows that during the year the City had more than its usual
share of foggy days and nights. Whilst fog is made up almost entirely of water droplets, smoke
pollution has important indirect effects in reducing visibility by providing an abundance of
nuclei for the formation of smaller droplets, thus providing a denser and less easily cleared fog.
In 1952 the figure of suspended impurities was the highest recorded during the past four years.
The volumetric method also measures the average daily concentration of sulphur dioxide.
Notwithstanding the high concentrations recorded during the heavy fog in December the average
for the year is below that of 1952. Reference has already been made to the improvement in sulphur
pollution as indicated by the lead peroxide method."

HOUSING.
The number of housing applications outstanding on 31st December, 1952, was 417 comprising
1,046 persons.
The number of families rehoused during the year was 108. This figure includes 37 families
transferred within property under the Corporation's control.
On 26th September, 1952, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor formally opened two new
blocks of flats built by the Corporation of the City of London in Old Kent Road in the Metropolitan
Borough of Camberwell.
Both blocks are five storeys in height. George Elliston House, which has an inverted "U"
formation, provides 45 self-contained flats served by two public staircases with a four person pushbutton
controlled lift at each staircase. Access to upper floor flats is by balconies on the north, west
and east elevations. The internal courtyard which is open to the south has been developed as a
garden which is overlooked by all the principal habitable rooms.
Eric Wilkins House provides 20 flats and is "L" shaped. It is served by one staircase and one
lift with balcony access to the upper flats.
Of the total of 65 flats, five are of one room, ten of two rooms, thirty-five of three rooms, and
fifteen of four rooms.