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Treatments Carried Out Rats Mice
Local Authority's property 7 4
Dwelling houses 117 23
Business premises 58 9
182 36
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
It is interesting to compare the pollution tables for the years 1949
and 1950 because the comparison shows so clearly the effect of the
domestic fire upon the air we breathe.
In 1950 June was relatively cold and the pollution index went up
by 5 points, whereas October was mild and free from fog by comparison
with 1949 and the pollution index dropped from 44 to 18.
It is still not recognised fully that the burning of raw bituminous coal
in an open fireplace is largely responsible for our atmospheric pollution.
Not only is the air polluted but the vital rays of the sun are excluded, and
soil is rendered so acid as to become infertile. Technical progress in the
prevention of smoke pollution has been vast but cannot be implemented
unless and until proper burning appliances are used and there is adequate
supplies of smokeless fuel with storage capacity available at the home.
The Council in its new dwellings has fitted new and approved
appliances. The storage space at Longbridge Road flats is designed to
give capacity for 2 cwts. of smokeless fuel, but householders are prevented
from making the best use of these facilities because of the refusal of the
National Board to deliver in less quantities than 5 cwts.
Another penalty inflicted upon the householder who wishes to reduce
smoke emission is one of cost. So long as the price of coke is higher
than that of coal, this must act as a deterrent.
In my report for the year 1949 I referred in some detail to other
factors contributing to our local pollution.
The erection of the new boiler plant at our largest wood-burning
factory is nearing completion after many unavoidable delays, and the
completion of the additional station at the Barking Generating Station is
making good progress.
When comparing the Barking pollution figures with other towns,
regard must be had to the fact that in the Borough are situated the largest
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