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adjacent areas of neighbouring local authorities. The London Boroughs of Haringey and Camden
will be completely smoke controlled by the end of 1968.
Air Pollution Measurement
The Department operates five stations for measuring by the volumetric method the amount of
suspended particulate matter (smoke) and acid gases (sulphur dioxide) in the atmosphere. These
stations are situated at:-
East Barnet (Town Hall)
Edgware (Library)
Finchley (308 Regents Park Road)
Friern Barnet (Town Hall)
Golders Green (Library)
The readings obtained are sent to the Warren Spring Laboratory of the Ministry of Technology
for assessment and the results are used in connection with the National Survey of Air Pollution
which the Ministry is conducting.
General
No very serious nuisance was caused by industry during the year. A number of instances of
excessive smoke emissions were observed but these were all dealt with informally. Breakdowns
occur with even the best and newest plant and the human failure element remains, as ever, with
us. It is felt better as a general rule to seek co-operation with management rather than take an
occasional prosecution to make an example.
Instances of smoke from domestic chimneys in smoke control areas caused by burning
bituminous coal were found. Again, this was due basically to a lack of understanding on the part
of the householders, but these offences would not have occurred unless some trader had supplied
the coal. The larger fuel merchants generally refuse to deliver coal to premises in smoke control
areas and the Department assists by making available relevant maps and lists of roads. The small
merchant, however, is at a disadvantage in not perhaps having the clerical resources to deal with
the problem. Again most co-operate, when the position is explained. A Private Members Bill, to
be supported by the Government, seeks to make it an offence to sell bituminous coal for use in a
smoke control area. Should this become law the number of offences will no doubt fall.
Whilst industrial smoke nuisance can now be prevented the only practical way, at the moment,
of securing an acceptable level of sulphur dioxide at ground level is to discharge the products of
combustion as high into the air as possible. Local authorities can reject the plans of certain
buildings if the height of the chimney is not adequate. Co-operation of the Borough Engineer and
Surveyor and Borough Planning Officer is necessary in this respect and I am pleased to say that
a good working system of consultation is in operation.
In assessing the necessary "safe" height for an industrial chimney the Department is guided
by a Memorandum entitled "Chimney Heights" issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government. A series of graphs is provided for calculating height in relation to the amount of
sulphur in the fuel to be used, the size and output of the plant, the height and length of the
building and the locality. A greater height is required in a heavily built up area, where the
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