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
Kingston upon Thames 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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18
10. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION,
Nineteen complaints were received with regard to
smoke or grit emission and seven observations were taken,,
A total of ninety-three visits were made to boiler installations
situated in industrial or institutional premises.
Changes which have taken place in the industrial field
have all tended to further the improvement in atmospheric
pollution from this source. During the year one of the
foundries in the town which had been established for some
time closed down, also production ceased at the Gas Works and
one more industrial plant, as well as the boilers of the
Corporation Baths, were changed over to oil firing.
It is interesting to note the reduction in atmospheric
pollution as recorded on the Corporation deposit gauges.
The following is a table of the average deposit since the
gauges were installed.
Average Monthly Deposit« Total Solids - Tons per Sq0 Mile0
| Year | Station A. (Canbury Gdns.) | Station B. (Tiffin's) | Station C. (Cemetery) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 28.38 (7/12) | - | - |
| 1949 | 20.41 | - | - |
| 1950 | 22.17 | 14.98(6/12) | 14.34(6/12) |
| 1951 | 22.19 | 12.47 | 12.03 |
| 1952 | 19.12 | 12.49 | 12.84 |
| 1953 | 17.58 | 10.32 | 9.95 |
| 18.70 | 10.21 | 10.00 | |
| 1955 | 15.85 | 9.13(11/12) | 10.15(10/12) |
Explanation of these figures is not a simple matter
as many variable factors are involved, but the results may be
considered in the light of the following information concerning
the use in the Borough of fuels which have some effect
upon the condition of the air we breaths.
There are some twenty industrial plants in the town and
of this number, eleven have been adapted to use either oil or
creosote pitch fuel and it is understood that in the near future
three more will be converted to oil firing.
The reduction in the consumption of solid fuel brought
about by these conversions amounts to some 10,000 tons per
annum and taking into account the higher efficiency and the
more effective control of combustion of oil fuel compared
with solid fuel, there must be a considerable reduction in
atmospheric pollution.
Another factor which must have a marked bearing on the
degree of pollution in part of the town is the closing of the
Gas Works referred to above. Production ceased on the 31st
March, 1955, and the saving in consumption of solid fuels
amounts to some 11,200 tons in a full year. There can be no
doubt that these premises were the largest single source of
pollution at low level in the Borough. Prior to the closing
of the Works, smoke and dust: given off at times when the
retorts were emptied and recharged could be seen at distances
up to a quarter of a mile from the retort house; this operation
took place three times per hour throughout the day and
night. Some nuisance was also caused by dust and grit being