London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
This page requires JavaScript
27
Prices of Solid Smokeless Fuel
In the Annual Report for 1963 a table was produced indicating that a very
substantial price increase had taken place, particularly the prices of the
premium smokeless fuels.
During 1964 prices remained much the same and I am pleased to say. regarding Gloco and Cleanglow. prices were slightly cheaper and whilst Sunbrite had increased 1/- per cwt. this fuel is little used because of its lack of popularity in Shoreditch
| Type of Fuel | Price at January 1964 | Price at January 1965 | Rise in price per CWT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Coal | 12s. 5d | 12s. 8d. | + 3d. |
| Stirling Coal | 11s. 4d. | 11s. 5d. | + 1d. |
| Excelite | 11s. 4d. | 11s. 5d. | + 1d. |
| Sunbrite | 12s. 8d. | 13s. 8d, | + 1s. 0d. |
| Gloco | 14s. 2d. | 13s. 11d. | - 3d. |
| Coalite | 15s. 7d. | 15s. 11d. | + 4d. |
| Cleanglow | 16s. 6d. | 16s. 3d, | - 3d. |
| Phurnacite | 17s. 5d. | 17s. 4d, | - 1d |
Industrial Nuisances
More than the usual number of complaints have been received regarding
Industrial smoke nuisances and other nuisances-that is to say sawdust from
Saw Mills and Fumes from paint-spraying factories.
This I believe is an indication that householders in Smoke Control Areas
are becoming much more Clean Air Minded".
Shoreditch is the hub of the furniture industry and, as reported in
previous Annual Reports, accommodation for the storage of wood waste is very
limited in the numerous small factories throughout the Borough, In the past
every effort has been made by the occupiers of these to dispose of these waste
products by burning in fireplaces which were never designed for this purpose.
The result is therefore that volumes of smoke from smouldering wood waste are
emitted to the atmosphere
A great deal of work will have to be done and other means devised for the
disposal of wood waste when the Moorfield Area is confirmed and becomes
operative in this Borough.
Measurement of Smoke Pollution
Daily measurements of the quantity of smoke and sulphur dioxide are
recorded by the volumetric apparatus installed in the Town Hall, and the monthly
averages of the quantity of smoke is appended in a graph for the two years
1963/1964
The 1964 graph showns a noticeable reduction of approximately 12% in the
level of smoke pollution as compared with the previous years. The measuring
apparatus at the Town Hall is not at present included in a Smoke Control Area
and the very low summer figures are very satisfactory as the apparatus is sited
in an Industrial/Commerial Area.
The high October Figure is due to some fog experience rather earlier in the
winter than is usual but fortunately this did not develop into a serious smog.
The monthly averages of the quantity of sulphur dioxide in the air is given
on the graph for the years 1963/1964, and the 1964 graph shows an increase of
approximately 12% in the level of sulphur dioxide as compared with the previous
year. The emission of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere is increasing, and
unfortunately this cannot be adequately controlled by local authorities alone.