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31.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
During the year a strenuous campaign was carried out by the Sanitary
Inspectors to reduce atmospheric pollution in the Borough. The work may
be defined under four main headings -
1. Practical advice given in factories, kitchens, bakehouses, and
fried fish shops.
2. Practical demonstrations and advice given to the occupiers of local
authority flats, and instruction given to stokers employed on local
authority housing estates in Shoreditch.
3. The co-operation of neighbouring authorities.
4. Daily measurement of smoke and maintenance of records.
During the year 677 observations of non-domestic chimneys in the
Borough were made by the Sanitary Inspectors and in consequence of the
observations 17 Notices were served on the owners of premises causing smoke
nuisances.
In all cases where smoke was observed visits were immediately made to
the premises and advice given, and as a result of the visits by the Sanitary
Inspectors and an explanation as to the best practical means of abating
the nuisances, results have been very encouraging.
Numerous small furniture making factories and similar places provide
space heating and cheap disposal of trade refuse (sawdust, chips, etc.) by
burning it in fire grates and stoves which are of a type not capable of,
or designed to produce complete combustion and consequently smoke
nuisances are caused by the burning of these waste products. The advice
given AND FREQUENTLY TAKEN as to alternative means for the disposal of
refuse has secured a measure of success. Encouragement has been given to
occupiers of food premises to abolish the use of solid fuel in the
interests of cleanliness of the premises and the prevention of atmospheric
pollution. Two fried fish shops and one bakehouse have accepted our
suggestions and installed gas appliances. In one large factory, acting on
a suggestion from the Department, two Lancashire boilers are now fired
with coke instead of coal and a serious smoke nuisance has been abolished.
During the year a Smoke Abatement Campaign and demonstrations in the
form of a mobile exhibition, extending from 28th March to 2nd May was
arranged. Six sites were chosen, situate at Borough Council flats, the
object being to advise and instruct occupiers of post war dwellings in the