View report page

10
spoke of environmental pollution, one thought mainly of atmospheric
pollution, more particularly by smoke, and in industrial
localities of pollution by objectionable smells and effluvia. It is
becoming apparent, however, that with the advances in technology
and the increasing influences that technological processes have on
modern living, environmental pollution in its broadest sense is a
good deal more "sophisticated" than mere pollution by smoke
and noxious effluvia. I referred last year to the problem of noise,
especially to noise from aircraft in flight and it is satisfactory to
note that increasing attention is being given at national level to
this problem. On the international scene, the pollution of the
River Rhine achieved a good deal of publicity and in the United
States of America these problems are receiving increasing attention.
The possible effects of the use of pesticides in agriculture
and of antibiotics in animal husbandry are other examples and,
nearer home, the pollution of our rivers by industrial or sewage
effluents yet another. So far in Wandsworth, apart from noise
and smoke abatement, these problems have not come specifically
to our notice although as a riparian authority, being one of the
London Boroughs with a frontage on the Thames, we have an
interest in the pollution of the river, even though we have no
direct responsibility as such.
I mention environmental pollution in the broad sense because
it is likely that in the years ahead we shall be called upon to give
more attention to these problems than has been the case in the
past. It follows, that for from there being a reduction in the work
of the Environmental Health Section of the Health Department
(as has sometimes been predicted), there is likely to be an increase,
which will call for specialised expertise and new knowledge. In
this connection, mention should therefore be made that the staffing
structure of the Environmental Health Section of my department
was carefully examined during the year and proposals formulated
for a more specialised approach to the work of the public health
inspectors and technical assistants. It is confidently expected that
the new proposals, if approved, will enable the work to be streamlined
and to be brought into line with what are anticipated to be the
main problems in the years ahead. Particularly will this be the
case in respect of the supervision of houses in multiple occupation
and in the control and supervision of food supplies.
Reverting to the question of atmospheric pollution, the clean
air programme was continued and the London Borough of Wandsworth
(No. 3) Smoke Control Order was approved by the Council
in February. The work on the No. 4 area was completed and was
approved by the Council in February, 1970. The map in Part 3
of this Report shows the present position, from which it will be
seen that the programme is approaching completion. Preliminary
work on the No. 5 area is already well advanced, leaving only
No. 6 and No. 7 areas to be dealt with.