'Robert Angus Smith and the Alkali Inspectorate' in E Homburg et al (eds), The Chemical Industry in Europe, 1850-1914. Industrial growth, pollution and professionalization
Details:
- Author(s) Reed, Peter
- Publication type Chapter
- Year published 1998
- Pages pp149-63
- Publisher Kluwer Academic
- Place Published London
Topics:
- Name Environmental issues
- Name Government intervention exc legislation & regulation
- Name Legislation & regulation exc h&s & competition policy
Countries:
Library:
- Name British Library
- City London
- County Greater London
- Country England
- Postcode NW1 2DB
- Visit British Library's website
Groups:
Notes:
Deals with the damaging effects of pollution from the Leblanc process of soda manufacture and in particular from the release of muriatic acid gas [hydrogen chloride]; the 1863 response by government to limit emissions under law and the creation of inspection to ensure enforcement; the establishment of the Alkali Inspectorate and the appointment of R A Smith as its Chief Inspector. This paper examines Smith's role in putting the legislation into effect and how as a result the inspectors (and the public) were able to change the attitude of the chemical manufacturers towards government intervention and develop a working relationship involving 'peripatetic consultancy'