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76
In my Annual Report for 1951 I recorded a reduction of
9.3 per cent. in smoke pollution and of 7.5 per cent. in sulphur
dioxide, compared with the year 1950. For the 11 months ended
30th November, 1952 there was again a slight reduction (1.5 per
cent.) in the amount of both smoke and sulphur dioxide, compared
with the corresponding period of 1951. But for the whole year 1952
there was an increase in smoke pollution of 2.6 per cent., and in
sulphur dioxide of 6.6 per cent, compared with 1951. This increase
was due to the dense fog which enveloped Leyton and the greater
part of Metropolitan London during the five days from 5th to
9th December (inclusive).
The following graphs show the monthly variation of smoke
and sulphur dioxide pollution of the atmosphere recorded at
Sidmouth Road, Leyton, during each of the past three years.
Excluding the exceptional increase in the pollution of the air in
December 1952 (which includes the five-day fog), the graphical
representations of the smoke and sulphur dioxide content of the
atmosphere varied little from year to year. They show—
(а) that atmospheric pollution is at its lowest during the six
summer months from May to September;
(b) that from September it increases rapidly to its pollution
peak in December; and
(c) that the three months of greatest pollution are November,
December and January.
In other words, there is a close correlation between the
variation in atmospheric pollution and domestic heating throughout
the year.
Further information on the five-day fog, and its effect on the
health of the population, is to be found on pages 52 to 58.