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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Erith 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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30
D(5)e Atmospheric Pollution
Results of Analysis
(A) The Erith Borough Council is represented on the
Thames-side Advisory Committee for the Abatement of
Atmospheric Pollution.
In this connection, a deposit gauge, lead peroxide gauge, and a smoke recorder are respectively in various positions and the analysis of the contents of these instruments for 1961 are as follows:—
| Month | Deposit gauge | Lead peroxide gauge Sulphur mg/100 sq. cms/day | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain in inches | Insoluble deposit Tons per sq. mile | Soluble deposit Tons per sq. mile | Total Solids Tons per sq. mile | Calcium Tons per sq. mile | ||
| January | 2.12 | 6.69 | 5.50 | 12.19 | 0.90 | 2.45 |
| February | 1.85 | 11.48 | 6.75 | 18.23 | 1.26 | 2.34 |
| March | 0.60 | 7.29 | 6.24 | 13.53 | 1.36 | 2.89 |
| April | 1.33 | 7.87 | 8.89 | 16.76 | 1.90 | 1.21 |
| May | 1.69 | 6.69 | 4.30 | 10.99 | 0.62 | 1.11 |
| June | 1.39 | 8.31 | 6.41 | 14.72 | 1.11 | 1.01 |
| July | 1.53 | 14.45 | 3.39 | 17.84 | 0.42 | 1.02 |
| August | 2.21 | 11.85 | 4.09 | 15.94 | 0.39 | 0.94 |
| September | 2.05 | 11.74 | 13.86 | 25.60 | 2.79 | 1.04 |
| October | 2.89 | 4.60 | 7.18 | 11.78 | 1.03 | 1.42 |
| November | 2.45 | 6.14 | 9.67 | 15.81 | 1.54 | 2.32 |
| December | 2.54 | 8.54 | 11.48 | 20.02 | 2.30 | 2.20 |
| Monthly average for 1960 | 15.66 | 1.42 | 1.75 | |||
(B) The combined filter for smoke and sulphur dioxide apparatus
which has been in operation at the Town Hall since
July, 1958 has been maintained by the Department throughout
the year, and the readings and results thereof have been
carried out and recorded daily.
Appended below are particulars of the highest figures
recorded during the year 1961, ending on 31st December:—
Smoke: Smog level Sulphur dioxide: Smog level
(200 mgs. black suspended (40 parts per 100 million
matter per 100 cu. metres of air) parts of air)
71.0 on 12th Jan. 23.6 on 8th Dec.
Highest reading 1960 Highest reading 1960
101.0 on 7th Jan. 37.0 on 9th Dec.
(C) Compaints were received regarding emission of fumes
from two chemical processing factories, subsequent investigations
presenting problems with no easy solutions because