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Environmental Health
83
Gypsies and Other Itinerants
The problem of gypsies and other itinerants camping on highway verges and other land is a continuing
one. Action to remove them is taken by the Council's Ranger, but a permanent solution to
this problem is not yet in sight.
CLEAN AIR
Measurement and Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution
The number of stations for the measurement of atmospheric pollution was increased from five
to seven during the year, and one of the existing stations was re-sited. There are now two stations in
Hayes, (one close to the highest concentration of industry and the other in a residential area), one
each in Hillingdon, Northwood, Ruislip, Uxbridge and West Drayton. The stations are designed to
measure the quantity of smoke and sulphur dioxide present in the air.
The table on page 84 shows the monthly averages of smoke and sulphur dioxide content in the air.
The records for the stations at West Mead and Grange Park School for the last five years are set
out below. Both stations are in residential areas; that at Grange Park, however, has been in a Smoke
Control Area since 1960, but is influenced, to some extent, by the greater industrial background pollution
at Hayes.
The January figures include pollution from domestic heating and the full range of industrial and
commercial services. Pollution arising from domestic heating is negligible in June while industrial
processes (but not space heating) carry on as usual. The ratio between the June and January figures,
is therefore, a good guide to the amount of pollution from domestic sources; the greater the difference
between summer and winter pollution, the greater the extent of domestic pollution.