London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Shoreditch 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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34.
The Prohibition of Dark Smoke
One of the most important provisions of the Act to prevent atmospheric
pollution is Section 1 when, after an appointed day early in 1958, it will be an
offence for the occupier to emit dark smoke from the chimney of any building
(subject to certain exemptions) under the following maximum penalties - £10 in
the case of a private dwelling and £100 in the case of other properties, and
emissions on separate days will constitute separate offences.
No longer will the Public Health Inspector be subjected to the laborious
procedure of proving a public health nuisance, and it is anticipated that this
Section will be of immense value when operative, in minimising atmospheric
pollution from all types of properties.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION 1955-56
HIGHEST & LOWEST DAILY RECORDS OF SMOKE IN LONDON BOROUGHS
& IN SHOREDITCH
LONDON
BOROUGHS
SHOREDITCH
Highest Lowest
8.73 0.30
Highest
0.53
Lowest
0.35
MILLIGRAMS PER CUBIC METRE