[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council] page -

London County Council 1899

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Table: APPENDIX III.Abstract of replies received from Medical Officers of Health in reply to questions as to complaints of nuisance caused by Dust Destructors.

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APPENDIX III.

Abstract of replies received from Medical Officers of Health in reply to questions as to complaints of nuisance caused by Dust Destructors.

District in which Destructor is situated.	If complaints have been received as to nuisance (offensive smell or dust) from inhabitants of houses in the vicinity of the site of the Destructor.	If complaints have been received that dust and smoke from the chimney interfere with any trade or manufacturing process carried on in the neighbourhood of the Destructor.	If complaints have been received at anytime, but are not now forthcoming, whether the improvement is attributed to any particular alteration adopted in the method of burning the refuse.	General character of the neighbourhood in which the Destructor in situated, and especially if there are inhabited houses in the vicinity.	Remarks
1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
Batley	Yes, frequent	No	It is stated that with efficient working of Jones cremator, similar to the one ill use, no offensive smell can be emitted.	Inhabited houses on hills all round.
Battersea	No	No	...	The destructor is erected on low-lying ground with high ground in the immediate vicinity. Lavender Hill, Clapham-common, &c. It is closely surrounded by working class habitations.	The absence of complaint is .attributed to the careful firing of the furnaces, which are charged alternately. Fume cremators form part of plant, but are never lighted or used.
Birmingham	No	No	...	Manufacturing and artizan class, with inhabited houses in the immediate vicinity.
Blackburn	No	No	Complaints were frequent concerning the old destructor, which had no cremator. Since the present 8-celled destructor was built with a Jones cremator there have been no complaints.	Houses within a distance of about 70 yards.
Blackpool	Yes; not so much from inhabitants as from owners of property. The Medical Officer of Health detects a smell at times.	No. The only manufacturing process carried on in the neighbourhood of the destructor is that of gas-making.	Previous to the erection of present destructor there were numerous complaints. The improvement is attributable to the fact that two Jones cremators form part of the existing plant. It is suggested that the use of dust catch-pits would diminish the amount of the dust.which constitutes the bulk of the visible fumes at present.	The destructor is situated in the most central part of the borough, and close to railway and gas works. To the east aro open fields, to the west (about 1,000 feet) is the Promenade with large houses, let out in apartments. To the north (about 1,000 feet) are some artizans' dwellings, and to the south a number of scattered villa residences, from which quarter most complaints are received.	The destructor has only been in use a little over two years. Great alterations are contemplated, as the Jones cremators in use do not give satisfaction. Medical Officer of Health considers it important that a destructor should be so constructed that the unburnt refuse is not heated before combustion.