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54
HILLMAN STREET, E. 8 and CONTINUOUS SMOKE AND SULPHUR
DIOXIDE RECORDER. This
LAMPARD GROVE, N.16. instrument works continuously
by electric pump drawing in
samples of air and filtering
out the finely dispersed
particles of smoke.
In November the average daily (24 hour) figures for SMOKE in the
Hillman Street area lay between 60 and 74 milligrams per 100 metres of air
sampled. During the foggy period at the beginning of December the
readings and duration of tests were as follows:-
3rd December 1957 24 hours 128.4 milligrams )
4th - „ 17 „ 275.8 „ Smoke per
4th „ 5 „ 179.0 100 cubic
4th „ „ 3 „ 69.6 „ metres of
5th „ „ 16 „ 299.9 „ air sampled
5th „ „ 5 386.6 „
The 24 hour figure for December 6th was 66.9 milligrams.
In addition to pollution by smoke, an average of some 15 tons of
grit, ash, etc , was deposited per square mile of the Borough in each
month of 1957.
The above figures relating to smoke for non foggy as well as for
foggy periods clearly demonstrate the urgent need for the co-operation of
the public in the national campaign against atmospheric pollution.
THE BURNING OP BITUMINOUS COAL IN THE OPEN DOMESTIC FIREPLACE
IS ONE OF THE MAIN SOURCES OF LOW LEVEL POLLUTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE,
In due course various parts of the Borough will become 'Smoke Control
Areas' in which the burning of smokeless fuels only will be permitted.
Meanwhile, I do appeal to the public, particularly during periods of fog,
to endeavour to burn only smokeless fuels since the danger to health, and
indeed to life of inhaling heavily polluted air is very great indeed'.
JOHN FENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.
In the early part of the year a letter was sent to the occupiers of all
the industrial premises in the Borough drawing their attention to the operative
dates of the various provisions of the Clean Air Act.
A leaflet which reads as follows was, with the consent of the Finance
Committee, also sent to the occupiers of dwelling houses in the Borough with
the quarterly rate demand
CLEAN AIR ACT, 1956
I am instructed to draw your attention to the provisions of the above
Act. which will affect you as a householder.
Prohibition of DARK smoke from chimneys. As from 1st June, 1958,
the emission of DARK smoke from chimneys, including domestic chimneys,
will be an offence The emission of DARK smoke itself is an offence
(maximum penalty £10) and the question of a nuisance being caused and
having to be proved does not arise. The householder will have a defence
in cases where he/she is compelled to use unsuitable fuel, because
suitable fuel is not obtainable.
Smoke Nuisances. Also from June 1st a local authority may take proceedings
under the Public Health (London) Act against a person causing smoke
which is a nuisance to inhabitants of the neighbourhood, by BURNING
RUBBISH, LIGHTING BONFIRES, etc.