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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
The amount of smoke and sulphur dioxide present in the atmosphere during
the year was estimated by the volumetric method at the three stations operating
in the Borough Each station continued in operation throughout the year and
monthly reports showing the readings obtained were submitted to the Fuel Research
Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for inclusion
with similar reports from all parts of the country in a national survey of
atmospheric pollution
Table XV at the end of this book sets out a summary of the year s recordings
and from the average monthly figures Graph C has been prepared This graph
shows how the levels of both smoke and sulphur dioxide drop when the need for
domestic heating and space heating in offices and business premises has gone
However, the graph also indicates rises in the levels of both these pollutants
in the months of April and September which are not echoed by corresponding periods
of colder weather at these times Similar rises have been noticed in pre
vious years but occurring perhaps a little earlier in the Spring or a little
later in the Autumn The explanation is not readily apparent
Once again the concentrations of smoke in the air at Brentford and at Chiswick
(2 stations) have been compared in Graph D with those of Central London,
Leeds and Lerwick where the areas may be taken as representative of districts
from the heavily industrial to the virtually smokeless The local figures are
very similar to those for Central London and are almost midway between those of
Lerwick and Leeds
Graphs E and F compare the concentrations of smoke and sulphur dioxide
respectively in the air at Brentford and at Chiswick with similar figures obtained
at these stations ten years ago While the amount of smoke has not decreased
appreciably in this time the figures for sulphur dioxide are now con
siderably higher. Particularly disturbing are the sulphur dioxide figures
obtained at the Staveley Road Station (which however was not operating in
1953) as this is situated in the Borough s first Smoke Control Area
There were no periods of smog during the year 1963
When any premises are suspected of causing atmospheric pollution or when
complaint is received that such pollution is being caused, investigations are
carried out by the Public Health Inspectors to ascertain the cause and to try
to find a remedy In this connection 220 visits, revisits or observations were
made during the year
The number of complaints of smoke or dust emissions was 60 during the year
including one only about dust
Action taken as a result of these complaints
17 verbal notices and one warning letter
Observations were also made on 91 occasions on chimneys previously suspect
and seven infringements were discovered two were dealt with by letter and five
by verbal notice
One of the smoke problems investigated arose as a direct result of the very
cold weather at the beginning of the year which made it necessary for the aggre
gate and mixing water used for concrete making on a road construction site to
be steam heated so that work could continue Here some improvement was effected
by the use of more suitable fuel
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