[Report 1956] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham R.D.C.

  • Durham (England : County). Rural District Council.
Date:
1956
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1956] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/44 page 12
    3. Atmospheric Pollution. Coxhoe. On 4th April, 195G, there was brought into operation the rotary kiln dust extraction plant at the Steetley Magnesite Company’s Works at Coxhoe, the principal of a series of measures designed to abate the serious dust nuisance which had commenced with the installation of the rotary kiln in March, 1954. There followed a general improvement, although, not unexpectedly, there were occasional interruptions in the functioning of the dust extraction ])lant usually/ of a few days duration due to mechanical faults, and complaints which were received in the period following its intro- duction were generally related to these stoppages. Another source of the dust was considered to be the tall reject heaps and as a preliminar}/ to dealing with them a reject conveyor system was installed which came into operation in February 1956. The last of the measures designed to deal with the problem was the installation of a stone washing plant and this started to operate in the month of August. 1 he amount of dust deposition was recorded graphically, using the results of regular sampling at three points by Atmospheric Pollution Deposit Gauges and there was little doubt as to the improvement, to such an extent that it was considered unnecessary to continue these measurements after March, 1957. Thus has been resolved, it is hoped, what was a very serious atmospheric pollution problem. It was an unforeseen accompani- ment to the installation of a new industrial process and its solution in addition to being very costly posed a number of complex technical and engineering problems. From the outset the Company showed itself most anxious to do all that was possible in the matter and careful heed was paid to the many suggestions submitted from a variety of sources. Meetings between representatives of the Company and members of the Health Committee were most helpful in allowing full and frank discussion and the removal of misunderstandings. Bear park. A complaint, supported by the Bearpark Parish Council, was received of smoke nuisance from the Coke Ovens. Certain measures to prevent escape of smoke and gas were undertaken but the main source of nuisance is the quenching of the coke, a large volume of steam coming from it and carrying away a certain amount of ash and grit. This is, apparently, an integral part of the process and not remedial even with modern types of plant. The only conclusion seems to be that such a process should not be conducted in the vicinity of dwellings.
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