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
Walthamstow 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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Authority was given by the Council to instal two atmospheric j
pollution instruments for detecting the sulphur content in the air.
These instruments will be in operation from 1st January next.
Report of
LONDON & HOME COUNTIES SMOKE ABATEMENT
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Town Survey Section 1
(Borough of Walthamstow)
A copy of the report prepared by Mr. H. G. Clinch, M.B.E.,
F.R.S.H., was sent to the Borough Council, whose observations and
comments were invited by the Executive Committee of the Smoke
Abatement Advisory Council.
The following extracts are taken from the Report:—
Page 1
The areas surrounding Walthamstow and particularly the
industrial areas produce air pollution in Walthamstow whatever
the quarter of the wind, but particularly when it blows from
Leyton and Hackney.
There are nearly 40,000 persons employed in the Borough
with a large exodus in the morning, possibly balanced by an
equally large entry.
Page 4
There are 599 factories in the Borough employing 20 or
more persons.
The annual fuel consumption is as follows :—
| Solid Fuel | ||
| Public Electricity Generation 12,100 tons | Industrial Premises | |
| 38,300 tons of coal | Total coal 50,400 tons | |
| 8,800 „ „ coke, | „ coke 8,800 „ | |
| etc. | ,, solid | |
| fuel 59,200 „ | ||
| Liquid Fuel | ||
| Fuel Oil | General Industrial Premises Creosote-pitch Mixture | Total liquid |
| 342 tons | 2,905 tons | fuel 3,147 tons |
| Total fuel consumption by industry 62,347 tons | ||
No estimate of the proportion of fuel for steam raising for
power is possible. There is a large coke consumption for
metallurgical work.