§ 87. Mr. A. Evansasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the fuel research station in the study of the extent of pollution of the atmosphere by exhaust gases from motor vehicles in London streets.
§ Mr. BevinsSince the summer of 1954, the staff of the Fuel Research Station have been taking measurements at a number of sites in London where the concentration of carbon monoxide from the 33W exhaust fumes of motor vehicles is high but it is as yet too early to reach any definite conclusions. Methods of detecting other pollutants in the air from exhaust fumes are also being investigated.
In addition, the Medical Research Council is working on new methods of determining gases present in the atmosphere and in the blood. It is hoped soon to apply these methods in London streets and in particular to do blood estimations on men who are exposed to vehicle exhaust fumes for long periods.
So far as carbon monoxide is concerned the concentrations which have been recorded up to the present are comparatively slight, and are well below the levels which would constitute a danger to health.