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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 1964 at the same 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 1964.
A new station for volumetric estimations came into operation on 1st October, 1963, for
special investigation of a smoke and grit nuisance at Beaconsfield Technical College and
was discontinued in July, 1964, the problem having been solved. For 1964 results, see page
52.
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 pages 53 and 54 and graphs prepared from the
figures on the tables are to be found on pages 55, 56, 58, 59.
Comparison of ten years' averages at Hortus Cemetery: the figures show satisfactory
improvement.

Comparisons with three other places, i.e. Westminster, Cambridge and Sheffield,
still show that Southall is atmospherically much less impure most of the year 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.
Smoke from industry has caused no special difficulty during the year and excessive
or unnecessary emissions have usually been dealt with speedily by informal action.
Seventeen complaints of smoke or grit were received. A major grit emission was due
to the breakdown of a large plant, but was corrected by emergency repair within 48 hours.
Consultation with industry and the fuel Technologist resulted in improvement of one
solid fuel (underfeed stoker) installation, in respect of which complaints were recurring.
Smoke Control Areas
Smoke Control Order No. 5 became operative on 1st July, 1964. The premises covered
by operative Orders now total 4,622 houses, 57 industrial premises, 295 commercial premises,
and 42 other buildings.
Smoke Control Order No. 6 was confirmed at the beginning of 1964 and will become
operative on 1st July, 1965. The area covered is 205 acres and includes 1,244 houses, 7
industrial premises, 64 commercial premises, and 9 other buildings.
Infringements of Smoke Control Orders
There were no infringements in 1964.
Volumetric Method
The daily mean concentration of smoke and sulphur dioxide is measured by volumetric
apparatus in the Manor House, situated on the main road traversing the Borough
from north to south and for nine months further estimations were carried out in the
Hambrough Ward by means of an apparatus temporarily set up in the Technical College.
The term "smoke" is used to denote all fine suspended impurity collected by the test
filter and expressed as microgrammes per cubic metre.
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