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47
It is now generally agreed that the ordinary domestic fire is one of the
greatest overall sources of smoke, yet the domestic chimney is excluded from
legislation relating to smoke abatement Superficially it would appear that
local authorities have ample powers to deal with smoke nuisances emanating
from industrial premises, but in practice it has been found that these powers
are limited because of the availability of the defence that "the best practicable
means have been used..."
EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH
DEPARTMENT FOR DEALING HITH ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
1. STAFF AND PROCEDURE
(a) The Factories Sanitary Inspector is the Officer in the department
mainly concerned with smoke abatement (on a part-time basis). He has the
assistance of an employee (part-time) who acts as observer.
(b) All complaints received, whether in respect of industrial or other
premises, are investigated.
(c) The chimney shafts of large industrial premises are regularly kept
under observation.
(d) In the calendar year 1953
16 complaints relating to industrial premises were received;
(complaints relating to dwelling-houses are rarely received).
1500 observations were made:,
15 smoke nuisances were found
15 notices (informal) were served;
15 notices were complied with.
(e) In no case was it found necessary to institute legal proceedings.
Generally no APPARENT serious nuisance arises from industrial premises in
Hackney and when complaints relating to such premises are investigated, in
practically all cases the full co-operation of the management is received in
endeavouring to abate the nuisance.
2. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RECORDING STATIONS ~ Three stations, with recording
apparatus for measuring the nature and the extent of atmospheric pollution,
exist in the Borough The recording apparatus at each station comprises a
deposit guage which measures the amount of grit soot and other solid particles
which settles from the atmosphere; also a lead peroxide instrument which
registers the amount of sulphur dioxide
Two of these stations, the one on the roof of the Town Hall and that on
the roof of Buccleuch House, are provided and maintained by the Hackney Borough
Council The third station, in Victoria Park, is provided and maintained by
the London County Council.
Samples from the Council's two stations are submitted monthly to the
Council's Public Analyst, whose findings are reported to the Public Health
Committee; these findings are also sent to the Director of Fuel Research,
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Fuel Research Station, East
Greenwich, The results of analyses from all stations throughout the country
are collated and published in the monthly "Bulletin" of the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research,
RECOMMENDATIONS. I am of the opinion that the department* s activities should
be extended and make the following recommendations which are limited to action
which might be taken in this Borough, since I feel that such matters as the
amendment of existing legislation, improved supplies of smokeless fuels at
lower prices than those now ruling, etc are matters to be dealt with at
national rather than local level.
INDUSTRIAL SMOKE 1, Staff - Mr. Dawson, Factories Sanitary Inspector,
to continue to be the officer immediately responsible for dealing with