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15
SMOKE NUISANCE.
The number of complaints of smoke nuisances slightly decreased in 1950, but the dust and sulphur
fumes from Power Stations continued to be a source of nuisance to those living near the stations.
The main reduction in smoke nuisances from the ordinary industrial boiler installations has been effected
by co-operation between the Sanitary Inspectors and the Technical Officers of the Ministry of Fuel and
Power.
Excessive smoke emission from boiler plants is due to the working of the plant above its rated
capacity, the lack of skill in the operators, or the use of unsuitable fuel. Sanitary Inspectors have given
guidance on the best methods of stoking, but some firms still think that any untrained person can do the
skilled job of stoking. The Coal Allocations Division of the Ministry of Fuel and Power have been asked to
supply better fuel where it is unsuitable, and although they cannot always arrange for better fuel, there has
been an improvement in the supplies in 1950.
The number of complaints of smoke, grit and sulphur emitted from the three Power Stations in the
borough has decreased, but this is not necessarily due to an actual decrease in the nuisance. The Sanitary
Inspectors observed less evidence of smoke and grit nuisance; probably due to the reduction in use of the
older power stations as new power stations are added to the grid system. Further research is, however,
required on the best methods of reducing the sulphur nuisance, and particularly how far the cost of gas washing
plants is compensated by the improvement in the atmosphere near power stations, with the consequent
saving of money on linen, cleaning, and the health of the people.
Many local authorities throughout the country have placed instruments near power stations to measure
the amount of atmospheric pollution. The Willesden Council have agreed to carry out tests in this area.
There will be some delay before the actual measurements can begin as the necessary apparatus is in very short
supply. The Department of Industrial and Scientific Research (Fuel Research) have very kindly offered to
assist in these measurement operations with scientific and technical advice.
BOMBED SITES.
The Council have a programme to clear up these sites to prevent the recurrence of nuisance. A
number of bombed sites have now been fenced in, been built on, or converted into public recreation grounds,
and the Health Department continue to deal with the nuisances on the other sites, e.g., by clearing away refuse,
getting rid of rats, etc.
DISINFESTATION.
The sanitary inspectors inspect verminous premises and supervise the work of the disinfectors
employed by the Council.
Furniture of tenants moving into new Council dwellings is disinfested by contractors; bedding materials
are disinfested at the steam disinfector at the Neasden Hospital.
(a) Disinfestation of verminous premises :
Number of primary inspections of verminous premises by sanitary inspectors 234
Number of re-inspections of verminous premises by sanitary inspectors 326
Total number of properties dealt with by disinfestors 300
Number of private premises supervised by sanitary inspectors 234
Number of Council properties supervised by Housing Department 66
*Number of verminous rooms disinfested under Council's Scheme 458
Number of verminous rooms disinfested by owners 25
Total number of verminous rooms disinfested 483
*Some rooms are treated more than once.
(b) Disinfestation of possessions of tenants moving into new Council dwellings :
{arranged by Housing Department after 1.4.1950.)
Number of furniture disinfestations 24
Number of premises disinfested by H.C.N. —
(c) Number of loads of bedding disinfested at Neasden Hospital 38
(d) Miscellaneous disinfestations:
Number of treatments for beetle infestations in canteens, etc 14
Number of treatments for housefly infestations 2
Number of treatments for ant infestation 10

The cost of disinfestation at business premises is recovered from the occupiers, and amounted to
£705 12s. 4d. The service is free to occupiers of private dwellings, but the Borough Council recovers 50 per
cent. of the cost in grant aid according to the terms of Circular No. N.S.19. The total cost in 1950 was
£554 7s. 1d.
The work of rat disinfestation in the sewers is carried out by the Borough Engineer's Department.
Where outbreaks of rats have been detected in defective drains and nests of rats are suspected in the sewage
system, co-operation has been obtained from the Engineer's Department in deciding whether to break open
pavements.
There has been an overall increase in the work of disinfestation in this section over last year and 171
more premises have been treated, 48 at business premises, 6 at Borough Council properties, and 117
at private dwellings.