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employed full-time on duties in connection with atmospheric pollution
and with the surveying and inspections of properties in Smoke
Control Areas. Such duties involved a total of 7,875 inspections
and visits.
Rent Act, 1968
During the current year, the one application received resulted in
the issue of a Certificate of Disrepair. Three landlords applied to
the Council for cancellation of Certificates of Disrepair already in
existence and three letters of cancellation were issued.
Noise Abatement Act, 1960
Under this Act a noise nuisance is defined somewhat vaguely
as "any noise which is a nuisance" and a local authority is empowered
to deal with noise and/or vibration as a statutory nuisance.
It is not necessary to prove that such a nuisance is injurious or
dangerous to health. Determination of a nuisance in such circumstances
becomes somewhat involved for a noise constituting a
nuisance to one person may pass unnoticed or even be enjoyed
by a neighbour. Moreover, in any proceedings, it is a defence to
show that the best practical means have been used to prevent or
counteract the effects. There is a clamant need for a clear and
acceptable standard of "noise curve" which to exceed would be an
offence.
Industrial noise is known to affect persons to different degrees.
Some workers seem able to withstand a constant barrage of
unbelievable noise which would deafen more sensitive folk in a
very short time. A loud noise for a short time could be as damaging
to the cochlea as a smaller noise for, say, 50 years. Undoubtedly
there is a hearing-loss pattern discernable by examination at the
end of a day in a noisy factory which could over a period of time
develop, in some instances, into a permanent state of affairs quite
distinguishable from geriatric deafness.
It seems probable that the upper limit of a noise lasting all day
and every day is 90 dB(A) but this is equivalent to the kerbside
noise of a heavy diesel in full throttle—an extremely loud and
uncomfortable level of noise. As a comparison, the Wilson Committee
considered that the noise level in a classroom of an existing
school should not exceed 55 dB(A).
In accordance with this Act 47 complaints were received and
investigated. In most cases the nuisances were of a relatively
minor nature and were resolved by informal action on the part of
the Public Health Inspectors who carried out a total of 187 inspections
during the year.