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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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29
Smoke Abatement
Observations on smoke nuisance from premises in the Borough
amounted to 40. Investigations were carried out in all cases;
new boiler plant being installed in some factories and improvement
being effected in others. Several applications were
received under the provisions of the clean Air Act, 1956, for
prior approval of new boiler plants, and most of these were
approved by the Council, subject to certain modifications being
carried out.
Atmospheric pollution instruments for measurement of sulphur
pollution are in operation at the Sir George Monoux Grammar
School, in Willow Walk, in Blackhorse Lane and atthe Woodford
County High School.
The readings of these instruments for the year are as follows;-(the figures given are in milligrams of sulphur per day)
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir George Monoux Gramnar School | 4.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.98 | |
| Willow walk site | 2.2 | 2.5 | - | 1.1 | 0.94 | 0.69 |
| Woodford County High School | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.83 | 0.83 | 0.80 | 0.55 |
| Blackhorse Lane site | 2. 4 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.99 |
| Sir George Monoux Grammar School | 0.71 | 0.79 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.6 | |
| Willow Walk site | 0.62 | 0.69 | 0.94 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 2.4 |
| Woodford County High School | 0.46 | 0.51 | 0.54 | 0.96 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Blackhorse Lane site | 0.85 | 0.83 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 2.3 |
The above figures are similar to those obtained by adjacent
authorities and are lower than those given for central London.
The highest figure for Central London being 7.2.
An instrument for measuring smoke pollution is in operation
at the Town Hall. Daily readings are taken and the figures
obtained are in milligrams of solid matter per 100 cubic metres
of air. The lowest average monthly reading was 3.0 milligrams in
July and the highest monthly average reading was 17.5 milligrams
in December.
Smoke Control Areas
The detailed survey in respect of Smoke Control Area No. 1 was
completed during the year and details were submitted to the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government for confirmation. This
area was confirmed by the Minister and will come into operation
on 1st June, 1961. By the end of the year, a number of fireplaces
in this area had been converted to burn smokeless fuel.