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BONFIRES
Numerous enquiries were received from householders regarding the burning of
garden rubbish in Smoke Control Areas.
The position is that smoke from bonfires, if a nuisance to the inhabitants of
the neighbourhood, is, by virture of Section 16 of the Clean Air Act, 1956, a
statutory nuisance liable to be dealt with under the Public Health Act, 1936 irrespective
of whether the bonfire is in a Smoke Control area or not. It follows,
therefore, that bonfires should never be lighted on calm or foggy days but only
when there is a fairly strong wind blowing which will quickly disperse the smoke
without blowing it into adjoining properties so as to be a nuisance to the occupants.
Materials should also be dried before burning so that the bonfire burns briskly
and is not allowed to smoulder for prolonged periods. It is better to have small
bonfires at more frequent intervals which are burned out quickly than large bonfires
which might have a tendency to smoulder. Wherever possible, of course, disposal
should be by composting.
Several complaints were received regarding bonfires during the year. In all
cases the offenders were interviewed by the Public Health Inspector of the district
concerned and in no case was any recurrence noted which warranted statutory action.
MEASUREMENT OP ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Measurements of the Smoke and Sulphur Dioxide contents of the atmosphere are
taken by most local authorities in " black" areas at various sites in their areas
in conjunction with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Readings of the instruments are taken daily and the report submitted monthly
to the Department. Published lists of the readings are then issued.
By this means, not only can a local authority note the progress it is making
in its efforts to produce a cleaner atmosphere but it can also make comparisons
with local authorities of all types throughout the country. The relationship
between air pollution and the incidence of respiratory and other diseases in an
area can also be considered.
The dust and grit which is sometimes emitted from industrial chimneys, whilst
it may be a serious nuisance to the occupiers of premises on which it falls, is of
no great significance to public health as the particles are too coarse to reach the
human lung. The smoke, however, which is extracted from the atmosphere and
measured in the smoke-measuring apparatus consists of very small particles, small
enough to remain airborne indefinitely and capable of passing the natural defence
mechanisms of the nose and throat and reaching the lungs. These particles come
principally from the smoke of domestic chimneys burning bituminous fuel.
For a period of 24 hours, air containing this smoke is drawn through a filter
in the measuring apparatus upon which the particles are collected. The darkness
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