View report page

ATMOSPHERIC pollution
The pictorial graph on page 19 shows the increase in atmospheric
pollution which occurs in the winter months due to domestic fires being
lighted and increased demands upon the gas and electricity industries in
Barking.
Our campaign to encourage the use of smokeless fuels or more efficient
grates continues, but progress is slow largely due to the shortage of smokeless
fuel, its cost, and the restricted production of more efficient grates.
DEPOSIT gauges
The marked difference between the Barking Park reading and the readings
from the other two parks will be noted. This demonstrates the effect
of the prevailing winds upon the soot fall in different parts of the Borough.
Parsloes Park and Greatfields Park are in the path of the prevailing wind
blowing from the S.W. from the industrial area which includes Becton Gas
Works, and the Electricity Generating Station.
Work is continuing on the new Section of the Generating Station and it
is hoped that when the new boiler house comes into use it will be possible
to overhaul some of the obsolete equipment in the older boiler houses with
a consequent reduction in the pollution arising from the station.
Your officers make frequent observations on industrial chimneys and
contraventions of your Smoke Bye-laws were dealt with. Usually discussions
with the management and the boiler operatives result in an improvement
but it is very apparent that without the supervision exercised by your
officers the pollution would rapidly increase.
atmospheric corrosion of metals
We have been requested by the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research to provide a site for two pieces of apparatus for measuring atmospheric
corrosion of metals. On the authority of the Parks Committee the
apparatus has been placed in Greatfields Park for a period of one year.
Page 17