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SMOKE ABATEMENT
Beaver Report
The publication during the year of the Report of the Committee
on Air Pollution, known as the Beaver Report, focussed attention on
the causes and evils of atmospheric pollution. The Committee was
set up in July 1955 "to examine the nature, causes and effects of air
pollution and the efficiency of present preventive measures, to consider
what further preventive measures are practicable and to make
recommendations".
The recommendations made by the Committee will, if embodied
in legislation, tighten the Local Authority's control of industrial
smoke emission and make easier the reduction of domestic smoke
emission.
Measurement of Pollution
Statistical data concerning the extent of air pollution is collected
by the Fuel Research Station and figures are published monthly
covering the whole of the country.
Barking Corporation takes part in this work and maintained
three stations for the purpose of measuring solid deposits and sulphur
dioxide concentrations. The results and comparative charts are shown
on pages 90-91. It will be noted that the solid deposits and sulphur
dioxide concentrations are greater in the industrial area of the Borough
than in the residential area. This is to be expected, of course, especially
with two of the largest coal consumers in the country in Barkings
industrial area.
The seasonal difference is more marked with the measurements
of sulphur dioxide pollution, indicating the effect upon the atmosphere
of the additional coal consumed in the winter. A large part of this
additional coal is consumed in domestic fires.
Domestic Smoke
It is stated in the Beaver Report that half the atmospheric pollution
in the country arises from the domestic chimney. Therefore, action
should be taken to reduce it.
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