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MEASUREMENT OF AIR POLLUTION
The department continues to co-operate with the Ministry of Technology in the national
survey of air pollution. Comparative results of measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide
recorded daily by apparatus installed at three selected sites are set out in Tables 1 and 2 which
follow. The average concentration for 1965/66 was 96 microgrammes per cubic metre compared
with 236 for 1958/59 - a reduction of nearly 60%. A 36% reduction in sulphur dioxide is also
apparent - 161 microgrammes for 1965/66 compared with 251 for 1958/59. Table 2 gives the
monthly average concentration of smoke and sulphur dioxide recorded at the three sites during the
winter of 1965/66. Available records at Chingford and Walthamstow are incomplete prior to this.
It will be noted that the Walthamstow sulphur dioxide figures are abnormally high compared with
Chingford and Leyton; this is probably due to a source of pollution located close to the recording
apparatus. Since the apparatus was moved to the Hurst Road Health Centre in July 1966, the
figures have shown a marked reduction.
Special investigations involving the use of scientific apparatus are also in progress for
the measurement of grit and dust deposits in specified parts of the Borough; the results for the
past three years are given in Table 3.
Records of the measurements of air pollution in graphical form (page 34 ) clearly
indicate that over the past nine years there has been a marked reduction in smoke pollution in
this Borough and in the London area generally; this is directly attributable to the establishment
of smoke control areas. The programme for the creation of more areas will ensure that this
satisfactory trend will continue.