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Inspector. Alderman Smith was elected Chairman of the SouthEastern
Division of the Society for the second year in succession and
he contributed a paper under the title " Local Authorities, the Beaver
Report and the Government Clean Air Biil" at the Society's Annual
Conference at Bournemouth. The Conference received a better press
than any previous ones, which is perhaps because Atmospheric Pollution
is arousing more general interest than ever before.
8. INDUSTRIAL NUISANCES. The Council have continued
to be faced with problems of this nature, particularly with regard to
noise and to some extent with effluvia. In general it can be said that
noise in those cases where factories have to work a night shift gives
rise to more complaints. This is readily understandable in spite of
the fact that the noise level may actually be less at night than during
the daytime. In one instance the firm concerned have taken steps
to eliminate night work and in another case it has been made possible
to discontinue the use, at night, of an air compressor which was in
fairly close proximity to houses.
To give yet another example, the housing of an extraction plant
was found to be loose and giving rise to a "drumming" noise; when
this was attended to the unnecessary noise was eliminated.
Of course, all noise nuisances are not as easily overcome as the
instance quoted ; in fact, some are almost intractable short of the
processes carried on being moved to another site altogether.
Problems in connection with effluvia are frequently very difficult
to solve but there are several comparatively new methods of approach
which show promise. There is now an oxy-catalyst on the market
which is capable of oxidising fumes, provided there are oxidizable
fumes present in sufficient quantities in the flue gases or air to be
treated. Ultra violet light can also be used in a similar manner but
care must be taken in its application to see that workers are not
exposed to the rays and the lamps must therefore be properly sited
or shielded to this end.
Another method of approach is by the use of a modern deodorant
which blends with the effluvia to be eliminated and neutralises it.
All of these methods seem to be in the hands of specialist firms
and in next year's report it may be possible to give details of the
application of one of these methods to local problems.
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