SOOT AND LUNG TROUBLES

Evening Star, Issue 19579, 10 June 1927, Page 10

SOOT AND LUNG TROUBLES

CHRISTCHURCH'S SHORE PROBLEM tSI-ZCIiX TO THE ‘ Stab.’J CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. Much of the special susceptibility of , Christchurch to lung and throat troubles would-disappear if • lie smoke from the municipal destructor and the factories and from railway locomotives wore eliminated Such is tho opinion of medical men, one of whom, a specialist in lung troubles, informed a reporter that ho [Considered tho smoko problem’ to le the most important question affecting Christchurch. Even in the purely, residential parts of the. city the housewife knows to her sorrow the effects of the outpouring of smoke from the destructor chimney. “When there is fog or mist tho smoke is held, to the obvious detriment of health. Undoubtedly the lungs collect portions of the soot distributed over the city, which makes them more liable to disease, 1 ’ said this medical man. “This lias a bearing on tuberculosis, Tho smoke interferes with tho sunlight, and diminished sunlight predisposes to chest diseases.” Effective measures could bo employed in preventing tho outpouring of smoke. One method carried out in England and America is to pass tho fumes over tho furnace, tho smoke actually being burned. Men in a position to speak with' knowledge were emphatic, mi conversation with a reporter, that something should ha done towards solving tlie problem- in Christchurch. They pointed out that the low-lying terrain of Christchurch intensified tho smoko problem hero more than in other cities m the dominion There may; however, bo some relief in the future, the City Conned having been in touch with tho Health Department on the subject. Tlie question involves some research, work, nmd tho department is making inquiries from America and England on tho methods employed. A special difficulty in the dominion is that most; New Zealand coals make a good deal of smoke.