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Measurement of Atmospheric Pollution
Measurements continued to be made throughout the year, the
results of which are shown in the table on page 61.
The map on page 63 demonstrates the distribution of the pollution
throughout the Borough. Not unnaturally the higher pollution occurs
close to the industrial area. Whilst some of this pollution undoubtedly
arises from chimneys within the Borough, there must be a substantial
amount carried by the prevailing wind from riverside factories further
up the Thames Valley.
The heavier material such as grit entrained in the flue gases falls
to earth comparatively near the source of emission. The point of
maximum deposition has been demonstrated to be at a distance of ten
times the height of the chimney from the chimney. The lighter material
such as smoke articles may be carried many miles by air currents and
may indeed not be deposited until carried down by rain. This is demonstrated
by the fact that the rainfall shows a direct relationship to the
matter deposited.
The average monthly deposit for all measuring gauges in the
Borough was 10 tons per square mile. This compares with a figure
of 18.9 tons per square mile as a national average monthly deposit in the
report on obeservations in the year ending 31st March 1955, by the
Department Scientific and Industrial Research. The "high average"
for that period which is the average of the six highest readings in the
country was tons per square mile. It is felt that these figures help
to put Barkig, pollution problem in proper perspective.
Number of observations 202
Page 59