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responsible for this increase, as they still showed a higher degree of atmospheric
pollution than at Brentford, A possibility is that this third station
being sited with high blocks of flats on two sides, there may be a certain amount
of down drift from the smoke stacks of these dwellings, which spoils the figures.
The figures all over the Borough are disappointing for 1955, the high peaks
in the winter being higher than during 1954 both for Brentford and for Chiswick,
and the lowest levels reached in the summer period when domestic fires are little
used were not nearly so good as in 1954. It was a fine hot summer, and there
is no doubt that during the months of June, July and August, domestic fires must
have been very limited, and therefore the findings at the stations must have
been almost entirely due to industrial smoke and sulphur dioxide.
It is noteworthy that on the 20th January. 1955, the highest figures yet
recorded in the Borough were obtained for smoke in both Brentford and Chiswick.
The day was dry, not foggy, with a south easterly wind, although there was some
mist on the previous night.
In order to obtain more detailed information on 'smog' (smoke and fog)
occurrences, plans were made for the Fuel Research Station of the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research to be supplied with figures of two-hourly
readings during any such period, The imminence of smoke and fog is reported
to this Department from the Fuel Research Station at Greenwich, and following
the receipt of this information, the apparatus is modified so that two-hourly
readings can be taken. During 1955,, this plan was operated during the period
30th November - 1st December.
Graph 'D' shows the monthly rise and fall in the pollution figures for
Brentford and Chiswick, also Leeds, Central London, and Lerwick. These latter
places have been chosen in order to illustrate the varying amounts of pollution
from a virtually smokeless atmosphere, i.e. Lerwick, to an industrial area, i.e.
Leeds,
In 1954 it was reported that the Inspector of Alkali etc. Works of the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government had following a visit in 1953, at the
request of the Public Health Department again visited the Brentford Gas Works.
During the year under review this Inspector again visited the Works and reported
that certain plants had been overhauled or replaced by that of a more modern
design.
During the year 85 visits or observations were made in connection with 28
cases in which it was alleged that atmospheric pollution was taking place. Work
was carried out where necessary, and advice on stoking methods given occasionally.
One factory showed improvement after an extensive flue cleaning operation, and
another factory converted from solid fuel to oil burning during the year.
GUILTY CHIMNEYS
A public meeting was arranged at which several speeches were made by The
Worshipful the Mayor (Alderman R. L. Avery, J. P.) the Chairman of the Public
Health Committee (Alderman Mrs. A. J. Burden), the Medical Officer of Health and
the Chief Sanitary Inspector on atmospheric pollution and other health subjects.
The film "Guilty Chimneys" was shown, and in addition, several films on other
health topics.
The meeting was attended by nearly 200 people, and much interest was shown
in the matters discussed.
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