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bank of the Thames between Dartford and Gravesend, and to a
lesser extent from works on the river Medway.
The problem is one of very long standing and the amount of
pollution in this district at any time, is influenced by the quantity
of cement being produced, the efficiency of the electro-static
precipitators installed, and by the weather conditions prevailing.
The Council was represented on the Thames-side Joint
Committee for the Abatement of Atmospheric Pollution by Mrs.
E. V. Wallace and Mr. A. V. Hatley, who played an active part in
the representations being made to the Government, with regard to
the nuisance created by the dust.
Both gauges referred to above, indicated an increase in the
total solid matter collected, when compared with the previous year,
there being a high total of 19.25 tons to the square mile, during the
month of September, at Riverside Road. The average deposit for
each month from this gauge was 13.97 tons per square mile, and
from that at Lamorbey 13.015 tons per square mile.
Also installed at the two sites mentioned above are sulphur
dioxide gauges, which indicate the extent of this pollutant gas in
the atmosphere, from month to month. Generally speaking the
higher readings for sulphur dioxide are obtained in the winter
when conditions are conducive to the formation of fog.
This is indicated more positively by the volumetric apparatus
for the measurement of sulphur dioxide and tarry matter
suspended in the air, installed at the Manor House. It gives daily
readings and indicates that the early part of 1959 was characterised
by persistently foggy conditions, whilst the autumnal months were
well below the average in this respect.
The Council were also represented on the Standing Conference
of Co-operating Bodies in the Investigation of Atmospheric
Pollution (by the same two Councillors) and on the London and
Home Counties Clean Air Advisory Council (by Mrs. E. V.
Wallace and the Chief Public Health Inspector).
Smoke Control Areas.
The Clean Air Act, 1956, envisages the eventual control of the
emission of smoke from all sources, especially the chimneys of
domestic premises. Some measure of financial assistance will be
available to owners of properties required to adapt existing
fireplaces, to enable them to burn smokeless fuel. A decision was
taken during the latter part of the year to carry out a staged
programme of Smoke Control Areas commencing with the
Mottingham South Ward.