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20
During the year twenty-five complaints were received
with regard to smoke or grit emission and thirty-five
observations were taken. A total of 111 visits were made
to premises with boiler installations situated in industrial
or institutional premises..
At one factory, work was completed on the replacement
of obsolete boilers and a new chimney-stack which incorporates
a grit arrester has been constructed.
Nuisance has been experienced over a long period by the
emission of grit from a laundry chimney. The Management
finally decided to convert the boiler from coal to oil
firing and this work was in progress at the end of the year.
It is hoped that the change will remove cause for complaint
from occupiers of dwellings nearby.
With regard to the Institution, after representations
made by the Department, it is understood that contracts
have been placed for the replacement of certain obsolete
equipment, and that work will be started early in 1954.
In the matters referred to above concerning industrial
premises, much assistance was received from the staff of
the Ministry of Fuel and Power. By this means it is possible
to obtain expert second opinions from Officers of the Ministry
who, like ourselves, have no interest in the matter other
than to ensure that fuel is used efficiently. Heretofore
the only other professional opinion which appeared to be
available to the Sanitary Inspector was that obtained from
persons engaged by the owners of the plant, or representatives
of firms who desired to sell their own particular
types of equipment. It is, therefore, very pleasing to be
able to record our appreciation for the co-operation and
assistance which has been given by the Officers of the Ministry
of Fuel and Power.
There would appear to be no doubt that there is progressive
improvement in the industrial boiler installations
and their operation, with a consequent reduction im the
emission of smoke and grit from these sources. It is important,
however, to bear in mind that similar improvement is
both desirable and necessary in the domestic field - the
source of approximately sixty per cent. of the atmospheric
pollution which takes place.
With regard to the recording of atmospheric pollution
in Kingston, three standard deposit gauges are maintained by
the Corporation and were located after consultation with the
Department of Scientific Research. The gauges are placed in
Canbury Gardens, at Tiffin Girls' School and the Cemetery,
Bonner Hill Road, and are, for the purposes of report,
referred to as 'A', 'B' and 'C' respectively.
The following tables give the results of analysis together
with rainfall and wind readings. These latter
figures are based upon observations which it is hoped give
some indication when the stations are to windward of the
Power Station and Gas Works, the area which is thought to
be the largest source of atmospheric pollution in the
neighbourhood.