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58
The Engineers at the Generating Station are unable at present, owing to the
complexity of the problems, always to comply with the limit of 2 minutes black
smoke in every 30 minutes duration. The Company arrange for a constant watch
to be kept upon the chimneys and as soon as any excess smoke is observed the
Boiler House Engineer is informed, and any necessary adjustments made.
There are 13 chimneys of about 15 feet diameter connected with 34 furnaces.
The station serves an area of 3,000 square miles.
When seen from the River or when indeed seen from one of several vantage
points in Barking the smoke issuing from these chimneys is enormous. The amount
of smoke however must be considered in relation to the large amount of coal which
is consumed and which is, we understand, approximately 500,000 tons per year.
At the same time there is another aspect to this question and that is that unless
these large concerns show that they can consume these large amounts of fuel without
any undue smoke emission there is a case against them except when they are situated
in remote districts.
10. ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT RADIATION.
Ultra-violet light radiation is measured in Barking at the Barking Hospital.
The apparatus used is that designed by Professor Leonard Hill, known as the
" test by fading" instrument. The biologically active ultra-violet rays are
measured by the fading of a standard solution of acetone and methylene blue.