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31
Daily Measurement of Suspended Matter
During the latter part of the year apparatus for making daily estimations of smoke
was installed by the Council at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
Keppel Street, and at the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, Queen Square.
The apparatus consists mainly of an air pump which draws a known volume of air from
outside and passes it through a white filter paper. The amount of smoke collected is
estimated by comparing the stain on the paper with a calibrated scale of shades. The
apparatus was not in operation during 1955 for sufficient time to allow of any useful
records to be included in this report.
Smoke Observation Posts
From early May observations of the emission of smoke were made from the roofs
of four high buildings suitably situated so as to provide a fairly complete view of the
Borough. It was found that most of the smoke came from private houses, flats, and
offices where open fires were in use, and, as might be expected, was found to be worse
during the colder months of the year. With regard to industrial and commercial undertakings
and hospitals, the observations confirmed the view that there are no continuous
offenders of this type in the Borough. Nevertheless, there were occasions when the
emissions from chimneys, although not statutory nuisances, were such that it was felt
that some improvement might be secured. In these instances inspections and discussions
took place which resulted in reduced smoke emission.
Bombed Sites
Accumulations of refuse on bombed sites continue to present a problem, although
fortunately a number have disappeared as a result of rebuilding. In very few cases are
the accumulations such as to warrant the service of notice in respect of a " nuisance";
and there is also the difficulty of assessing responsibility for the accumulations. In 1949
the Council made a by-law governing fly tipping on vacant sites in the Borough, but considerable
difficulty is experienced in tracing offenders.
Sites cleared by Council, e.g., bedding removed 20
War-Time Reservoirs for Emergency Water Supplies
It has been agreed by the Home Office that the cost of cleansing emergency water
tanks should rank for 75% grant under the Civil Defence Act, 1948, the remaining 25%
of the cost to be borne by the London County Council as fire authority, and that the
work of cleansing be done by the Metropolitan Borough Councils as agents for the London
County Council. As a result of this arrangement one emergency water tank in Holborn
was cleansed during the year.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933
This Act, the Poisons Rules, 1952/55, and the Poisons List Order, 1952/55, regulate
the sale of poisons, and every local authority is required to keep a list of persons who are
entitled to sell poisons included in Part II of the Poisons List.
During the year 1955, 34 applications were received for retention on this Council's
list. One application was received for entry on the list.
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951
This Act and the Regulations of 1951, require the registration of premises where
specified filling materials are used in connection with certain upholstering and filling
processes, and require premises used for the manufacture or storage of rag flock to be
licensed.
Five premises in the Borough are registered under the Act, but no premises are
licensed for the manufacture or storage of rag flock.