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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
The amount of smoke, grit and sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere over the Borough
of Southall continued to be recorded during the year 1960 at the five sites at which
recordings have been carried out for previous years.
In addition, equipment for the setting up of a station at the Manor House, for the
estimation of Smoke and Sulphur Dioxide pollution by the Volumetric Method, whereby
air is drawn through two filters, one dry and one liquid, continuously and the amount
of atmospheric pollution calculated every 24 hours from the matter deposited on the filter,
and from the amount of sulphur taken up by the liquid. This machine came into
operation in January, 1959, and it is now possible to give figures for two years working.
See page 44.
The results obtained from the five sites, i.e. Recreation Ground and Railway Allotments—lead
peroxide method, Hortus Cemetery, New Primary School, Railway Allotments—deposit
gauges, are tabulated on page 45 and graphs prepared from the figures
on the tables are to be found on pages 46, 47 and 48.
Comparison of nine years' averages at Hortus Cemetery.
Total solids Deposited:—
1952 11.93 1956 12.93
1953 10.67 1957 10.66
1954 14.30 1958 13.83
1955 16.94 1959 13.04
1960 10.30
Comparisons with three other places, i.e. Westminster, Cambridge and Sheffield,
still show that Southall is atmospherically much less impure all the year round as that
in a highly industrial area, but the Borough is included in a large ring round and including
London itself designated as a black area for atmospheric pollution under the Clean Air
Act, 1956.
Observations of individual factory chimneys seeming to be emitting smoke or grit
to excess were continued throughout the year. There was a marked improvement in
the amount of smoke emission recorded during these observations.
Details of the observations made because of particular subjects of complaint and the
results of these observations can be seen in the following table.
1959 1960
Number of sites of routine observation 5 (3 deposit gauges and 5 (3 deposit gauges and
2 lead peroxide gauges) 2 lead peroxide gauges)
Number of complaints of nuisance from smoke, 16 complaints re 12 8 complaints re 8
smell or grit and number of premises concerned premises premises
Number of places kept under observation 19 10
Number of observations made 76 27
Number of times black smoke was detected 2 1
Total time of black smoke emissions 2½ minutes l½ minutes
Number of times dark smoke observed 16 4
Total time of dark smoke emissions 62¾ minutes 16 minutes
Minimum time of observations 10 minutes 15 minutes
Maximum time of observations 110 minutes 60 minutes
Total time of observations 2,073 minutes 927 minutes
On 1 occasion black smoke (Ringelmann 4) was detected from one industrial premises.
On 4 occasions dark smoke (Ringelmann 2.4) was detected from another industrial
premises.
Smoke Control Areas
Observations during the year on Smoke Control Area No. 1 recorded 4 instances
where smoke was emitted and found to be due to ignition by wood and paper, although
gas ignition was available. The householders were warned.
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