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29
Committee on Air Pollution.
In July, 1953, the Government appointed a Committee:—
"to examine the nature, causes and effects of air pollution and the
efficiency of present preventive measures; to consider what further
preventive measures are practicable ; and to make recommendations."
(a) Interim Report.
In November, 1953, the Committee published an Interim Report which
outlined the well known features of air pollution and from which the following
extracts are taken :—
Pollutants.
The chief pollutants are smoke, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and grit.
The domestic fire is the biggest single smoke producer. In ratio to the coal
burnt it produces twice as much smoke as industry, and discharges it at a lower
level.
Three-fifths of the sulphur dioxide comes from industrial sources, one-fifth
from electricity stations, and one-fifth from domestic consumers.
Carbon monoxide is produced in about equal proportions from domestic
and other sources, but about one-sixth of the total comes from motor vehicle
exhausts. Under certain conditions this may cause relatively high local concentration
at or near ground level.
Grit, although the total weight emitted is only about one-quarter that of
smoke, is produced from a large number of different sources in substantial
quantities.
The Acts in force for the control of pollution are designed to secure that the
best practicable means of prevention are used. Except for the smokeless zone
provisions in local Acts they are aimed at pollution from industrial, and not from
domestic sources.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION.
The Authorities.
Every effort should be made without delay (1) to provide adequate supplies
of smokeless fuels to domestic consumers in London and other densely populated
areas liable to bad fog during the winter; and (2) to inform such domestic
consumers when such supplies are available so that they may at least lay in a
small stock for use when fog is developing.
The appropriate authorities should, by whatever means are most suitable,
bring to the notice of the public resident in areas liable to smog the fact that the
largest single producer of smoke is the domestic consumer, and that it is to the
personal advantage of everyone to co-operate in taking all practicable steps to
reduce the amount of smoke discharged into the atmosphere.
Steps should be taken to secure fuller and more frequent measurements of
pollution, especially during severe smogs, in order to determine the peak concentrations
reached. This will greatly assist our further investigation. Local
authorities can do most valuable service in this respect.
The Householder.
Householders in large towns who are dependent on solid fuel and who
normally burn coal should, before each winter, lay in a stock of (say) 1 cwt. of
coke or other smokeless fuel for use during periods of persistent fog. A mixture
of coke and coal will burn reasonably well and will greatly reduce smoke.
Instructions to the General Public when Persistent Fog is forecast.
Householders who can use only coal should take special care not to make
more smoke than can be helped; fires should not be banked at night.
Householders who can use smokeless fuels should confine themselves to
those fuels during periods of persistent fog. A mixture of coal and coke as already
mentioned will effect some improvement.