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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 1962 at the five sites at which recordings
have been carried out for previous years.
In addition, the station which was established in 1959 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, continued to operate during 1962.
For 1962 results see page 47.
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 54 and graphs prepared from the figures on the
table are to be found on pages 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52.

Comparisons with three other places, i.e. Westminster, Cambridge and Sheffield, still
show that Southall is atmospherically much less impure all the year round than 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.
The position regarding industrial smoke emissions remains reasonably satisfactory.
Unsatisfactory conditions are now mainly due to carelessness in operation or mechanical
defects and present no special technical problem.
As a result of discussions during the year a large timber yard, which has been a persistent
source of smoke and grit from the burning of wood waste, is to arrange disposal of
this waste away from the premises.
One laundry firm, following warnings, was prosecuted and fined £3 under the Dark
Smoke (Permitted Periods) Regulations, 1958, for the emission of five minutes' continuous
black smoke from an oil.fired boiler.
Fourteen complaints of smoke and ash, mainly covering the burning of garden and
trade refuse, were received. In twelve cases the nuisances were remedied following informal
action. In two cases the alleged nuisances were not confirmed.
Smoke Control Areas
Smoke Control Order No. 3 came into operation on the 1st July, 1962. The premises
now covered by operative Orders are 2,286 houses, 27 industrial premises, 158 commercial
premises and 27 other buildings.
Smoke Control Order No. 4 was submitted and confirmed during the year. This
becomes operative on the 1st July, 1963, and covers 908 houses, 14 industrial premises, 87
commercial premises and 11 other buildings in an area of 63 acres.
Smoke Control Order No. 5 was submitted but confirmation had not been received by
the end of the year. This area of 205 acres includes 1,428 houses, 16 industrial premises, 50
commercial premises and 4 other buildings.
In response to Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circular No. 4/62, the
Council revised their smoke control programme and brought forward the estimated date of
completion from 1973 to 1969.
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