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29
Smoke Nuisances
Smoke nuisances followed the pattern of previous years,
the most frequent complaint being smuts from oil-fired boilers.
Several cases of domestic smoke within smoke control areas were
dealt with and only in one case was any action beyond verbal notice
required. There is little doubt that smoke emission is becoming
accepted as anti-social and if this feeling becomes general the
Clean Air Act will be effective in spite of its apparent shortcomings.
Staff
In Hampstead all the work connected with clean air was
carried out by a staff of one public health inspector with two unqualified
assistants, a third assistant being appointed in order to
speed up the completion of the programme, The work covers the
surveys and implementation of Smoke Control Orders, measurement
of air pollution, investigation of smoke nuisances, notifications of
new installations and all the clerical work involved. As the timing
of the application for approval for grant purposes depends on the
individual householders, there have been times when the number of
staff employed seemed hardly adequate but it is difficult to attract
staff of the quality required for a post which will no longer be required
in five year's time. The two assistants , Miss B. Dimmock
and Mr, J. A. Woodman, have, however, gained so much experience
in the work that it is now possible to give them more responsibility
and it is hoped that the new arrangements will suffice without the
need to employ more extra staff.
HEALTH EDUCATION
There is continuing evidence to show that the work of the
Department is more and more concerned with the individual.
Indeed, Public Health, to be absolutely effective, must rely to a
large extent upon the knowledge and cooperation of all who are in
any way concerned with it.
During the year a full programme of group health education
has been in progress. It has included talks on hygiene in the home,
water supply, food hygiene, sampling procedure, nutrition and
diet, home safety and the work of the Public Health Inspector.