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
Wanstead and Woodford 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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As last year, I have divided the work into three main groups:—
(a) Measurement of pollution
(b) Control of pollution—Smoke Control Areas, and
(c) Other activities, such as conferences and exhibitions.
(a) Measurement of Pollution
The department continued measurement of pollution as part of the
National Survey by means of two daily volumetric instruments, one at
Croft Lodge Close, Snakes Lane, Woodford Green, and the other at
Oakhall Court, Wanstead.
Both instruments are fitted with eight port valves which automatically
change every twenty-four hours, thus ensuring complete records over
week-ends and holiday periods.
Details of average yearly figures since the instruments were installed
are given below. The figures are expressed in micrograms per cubic metre.
| Year | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average for year | 190 | 180 | 170 | 190 | 130 | 113 | 98 | 126 | 87 |
| Average for winter months | 320 | 290 | 310 | 273 | 190 | 163 | 178 | 206 | 144 |
| Average for summer months | 60 | 70 | 50 | 65 | 43 | 63 | 44 | 45 | 29 |
| Highest daily recording | 150 | 1120 | 2050 | 1080 | 1080 | 670 | 720 | 2392 | 603 |
| Year | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 |
| Average for year | 157 | 172 | 172 | 200 | 172 | 160 | 124 | 149 | 118 |
| Average for winter months | 229 | 257 | 266 | 245 | 283 | 222 | 195 | 221 | 171 |
| Average for summer months | 85 | 86 | 60 | 134 | 71 | 106 | 77 | 77 | 65 |
| Highest daily recording | 1086 | 1144 | 1973 | 1133 | 1856 | 984 | 652 | 2503 | 864 |
| Year | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average for year | — | — | — | — | 150 | 115 | 101 | 111 | 87 |
| Average for winter months | — | — | — | — | 250 | 178 | 194 | 179 | 141 |
| Average for summer months | — | — | — | — | 50 | 51 | 40 | 42 | 33 |
| Highest daily recording | — | — | — | — | 1200 | 1020 | 752 | 1560 | 589 |
| Year | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 |
| Average for year | - | - | - | - | 217 | 163 | 126 | 147 | 142 |
| Average for winter months | — | — | — | — | 315 | 229 | 207 | 222 | 213 |
| Average for summer months | — | — | — | — | 71 | 97 | 71 | 72 | 71 |
| Highest daily recording | — | — | — | — | 1307 | 1410 | 710 | 1619 | 1268 |