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98
Unfortunately, staff and the financial situation at the end of
the year necessitated the curtailment of this programme and only
one area was surveyed in the winter of 1966-67 for establishment
in 1968. It is hoped that the original programme will be resumed
as soon as possible.
Industrial Smoke and Furnaces
Twelve notifications under the Clean Air Act were received
during the year from persons proposing to install furnaces. In
all cases the plans submitted satisfied requirements and indicated
that the furnace could be installed and operated without emitting
smoke. In consequence no objection was raised to the proposals.
In some instances the Department was not satisfied that the height
of proposed chimney flues and stacks was sufficient to affect proper
dispersal of the flue gases. After consultation with the architects
agreements were reached concerning an increase of height but in
some cases a compromise had to be accepted. The reluctance of
architects and designers possibly on aesthetic grounds to construct
chimneys to the full height necessary for the effective dispersion
of the products of combustion is an obstacle in the fight for clean
air.
It was not found necessary during the year to take any formal
action under the Clean Air Act in connection with the emission of
dark smoke, or grit from chimneys, although several cases were
noted and detailed observations made.
MEASUREMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Bromley is one of the selected towns which for the past four
years have been co-operating with the Ministry of Technology in
carrying out a national survey of atmospheric pollution. Apparatus
for the determination of smoke and sulphur dioxide in the air has
been set up at four selected sites. These sites are visited daily and
measurements are taken, from which the actual concentration of
smoke and sulphur dioxide present in the atmosphere can be
calculated. The results are forwarded to the Warren Spring
Laboratory of the Ministry of Technology where the data for the
whole country is collated and evaluated.
It would be unwise because of the comparatively short period
during which observations have been made to attempt to draw
any conclusions from the results obtained locally. Consequently,
the following figures, which show the concentration of smoke and
sulphur dioxide in Bromley during 1966, are given purely for
record purposes.