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Complaints of dirt and grit emitted from an Eltham laundry were investigated
by one of the Council's smoke inspectors and a number of observations were made
at these premises, which are situated in a residential area. A notice requiring the
abatement of the nuisance was served. Owing to changes in the demand for steam
at the laundry, imperfect stoking had resulted. Advice was given and some improvement
was brought about before the end of the year.
Frequent observations were necessary during the year at factory premises in
the Abbey Wood area, complaints having been received from time to time of smoke
and fumes being emitted from this factory, particularly in the evening. Complaints
of smell and fumes from rubber being burnt at this factory were also investigated.
The firm installed additional apparatus in order to reduce this nuisance, and, in
consultation with the Health Department, arrangements are being made for the
improvement of the existing plant at this factory.
A number of complaints of smoke and grit from one of the largest of the riverside
factories in the area were also received. The replacement of old boilers by
boilers of modern design is being carried out at the factory and trouble has been
experienced when the new boilers have been put into operation due to the emission
of smoke and grit over short periods, particularly during fire cleaning and ash
removal. In endeavouring to bring about improvements, the firm have made
several modifications to the boiler, and it is thought they have now reached a satisfactory
method of overcoming their difficulties which have caused considerable
technical trouble in production at the factory. The firm were also asked to raise
the height of a steel stack at the works, the top level of which was about 12 feet
below the level of the top storey of some of the factory buildings.
National Smoke Abatement Society.
During 1953 the Council decided to become a full member of the National
Smoke Abatement Society. A South-East Divisional Council of the Society has now
been formed to study the problems relating to atmospheric pollution in the area,
and the Borough Council has appointed members to this body.
The attention of the Council has been drawn to the following resolutions passed
at the last annual Conference of the Society:—
"That the Conference views with alarm the menace of fumes caused by the
extension of the use of Diesel oil engines and faulty maintenance of these,
and that all local authorities and the police be requested to enforce, and,
if necessary, increase their powers to ensure minimizing or suppression of
these fumes in the interests of public health."
The Executive Council of the Society has also drawn the attention of local
authorities to a resolution requiring that sufficient space should be provided for the
storage of fuel at dwelling houses to enable an adequate quantity of the lighter solid
smokeless fuels to be stored and kept separate from bituminous coal. The Society
has also urged local authorities to improve their arrangements to ensure that tenants
of municipal houses with the modern appliances are advised and persistently encouraged
to burn solid smokeless fuels.
The latter recommendation is included along with numerous other recommendations
relating to smokeless fuel and smokeless zones in a memorandum prepared
by the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee for submission to
the Government Committee of Inquiry on Air Pollution.
The Borough Council are reviewing the whole question of air pollution, to see
how progress can best be made.
Nuisance from Cement Dust.
During the last two weeks in March, at a period of drought, parts of the Borough
were covered by a fine grey coloured dust, which covered the roof tops and foliage.
The main source of the dust was from the cement works at Swanscombe and Northfleet,
and north of the river at Purfleet. Unfortunately, at that time some of the
dust arresting plant at the factories was out of order. The Abbey Wood area, which
is nearest the cement works, was the part of the Borough most affected, and parts
of Eltham were affected to a lesser extent.
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