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INDUSTRIAL PREMISES
355 observations were made by the Public Health Inspectors of the chimneys of industrial or
commercial premises during the year.
The number of emissions of smoke noted which contravened the provisions of the Clean Air Act,
1956 was relatively small and all were satisfactorily dealt with without recourse to statutory action.
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 virtue 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 OF 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 any smoke present is drawn through a filter in the measuring
apparatus upon which the particles are collected. The darkness of the stain on the filter pad is then
measured in a reflectometer and from this reading is calculated the concentration of smoke in the air.
Sulphur Dioxide, which is derived from the sulphur present in solid fuels and in fuel oils, is an
important gaseous pollutant and its measurement is recorded as, combined with smoke particles, it can
seriously injure buildings and fabrics. There is, as yet, no known economical method available of removing
sulphur from fuel or from flue gasses.
This Council operates three smoke measuring stations at sites approved by the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research, i.e. at Golders Green, Mill Hill and Edgware Branch Libraries.
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