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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
During the year measurement of atmospheric pollution was continued
and revealed a fall in the average sootfall per square mile per month. This
was in spite of an abnormally high deposition during the long period of fog
in December. A comparative table is set out on page 17.
Such a fall may be attributed to the fact that a number of factories in
the Borough have been able to install new plant or overhaul existing plant so
that their furnace equipment operates more efficiently and consequently with
less smoke emission.
Your officers have been continuously active in administering the Smoke
Bye-laws and discussing with factory managements methods of reducing
smoke emission. 283 atmospheric pollution investigations were carried out
and 20 contraventions of the Smoke Bye-laws were dealt with.
The increased popularity of the continuous burning stove has no doubt
had a beneficial effect upon the pollution from domestic chimneys by burning
coal more efficiently.
The prolonged fog of December provided an opportunity for studying
the effects of atmospheric pollution upon the public health. The fog itself
was a purely natural phenomenon, not uncommon in such areas as the
London Basin. It was quite shallow and photographs were taken on Bos
Hill in bright sunshine showing the fog in the valley below. Atmospheric
conditions were such that the fog was unable to rise and dissipate.
All the smoke and sulphur dioxide emitted from the chimneys of the
factories and houses of London was held by the fog and accumulated for
four days. Much of this would have risen to the upper atmosphere and thus
been spread over a wide area.
The effect upon the health of the population of such a polluted atmosphere
can be judged from the fact that in the administrative County of London
deaths per million population during the week following the fog exceeded
the normal by 445. In the Essex portion of Greater London the number of
deaths was 2 1/2 times the normal.
It is more than ever apparent that something positive must be done to
overcome the menace to health and the waste of money and material
resources which arise from the present use of our coal supplies.
NOXIOUS FUMES
The control of noxious fume emission still occupies the close attention
of your officers.
One company causing a nuisance from its chemical plant has left the
district following representations from the Corporation.
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