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The fouling of footpaths by dogs is much too prevalent. Training of dogs would do much to
prevent this and there is no excuse for permitting dogs on lead to foul footpaths. A local bye-law states,
" No person being in charge of a dog in any street or public place, and having the dog on a lead, shall
allow or permit such dog to deposit its excrement upon the public footway " and for such offence there
is a penalty not exceeding £5. Here the difficulty is to secure the name and address of the offender and
of witnesses willing to testify.
Exchange of Articles for Rags, etc.—Under the Public Health Act, 1936, it is an offence for
any person who collects or deals in rags, etc., to sell or deliver, whether gratuitously or not, any article
whatsoever to a child under the age of 14 years in exchange for rags, etc. The Police notify the Council
of any such contraventions coming to their notice.
During the year, 3 persons were prosecuted and fines of £3, 10/- and 10/- were imposed.
Smoke Abatement.—The emission of smoke, grit and ash from a factory chimney may constitute
a nuisance within the meaning of the Public Health Acts. During the year the Sanitary Inspectors made
234 smoke observations and paid many visits to premises in regard to which complaints of smoke nuisance
had been received. Four smoke nuisances were proved at two premises and they were due to mechanical
defect, and unsuitable material being consumed. With the co-operation of the Education Department,
a course on boiler house practice was arranged at Spring Grove Polytechnic, but the attendance was
disappointing. Complaints about the quality of fuel are still too frequent, while defects in plant and
inadequate training of stokers receive too little attention.
The Council co-operates with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by measuring
atmospheric pollution in the Borough. Two sets of apparatus are in use; one on the roof of the Health
Department in Bath Road, Hounslow, and the other on the roof of Heath House, London Road,
Isleworth.

In general, atmospheric pollution was less in 1954 than in the previous two vears. (See Figures
III and IV.)
The heavy toll of deaths arising from the " smog " in Greater London in December, 1952,
stimulated interest in smoke abatement to a greater extent than the 30 years of propaganda on the
same subject. The Government appointed a Committee "to examine the nature, causes and effects o
air pollution and the efficacy of present preventive measures ; to consider what further preventive measures
are practicable; and to make recommendations." The Committee issued an interim report in November
1953, and a final report (Cmd. 9322) in November, 1954. In regard to the economic cost of atmospheric
pollution the Committee state :—
" The economic effects of pollution can be considered under two heads; direct costs and loss of
efficiency.
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