View report page

2
Since pollution of the atmosphere is so much increased in the winter months from domestic
smoke caused by the burning of raw coal, measures to render the air cleaner are important on
health grounds. During the year, two Smoke Control Orders were made, one for part of the
Canonbury area and the other for part of North Islington and these were confirmed by the
Minister of Housing and Local Government. Although in each of these areas a considerable number
of conversions will have to take place in order that smokeless fuel may be burnt, these areas
can be regarded only as a beginning. A programme of Smoke Control Areas has been outlined
which it is hoped will come into being within the next five years Every endeavour will be
made, not only to implement this programme but to expedite and if possible extend it However
the size of the problem is such that many years must elapse before the greater part of
Islington will, as it is hoped, eventually become an area where the burning of raw coal in the
traditional domestic grate is not permitted.
Health
& Hygiene
Education
Much of the work of the Public Health Department is inevitably associated with giving
information to the public so that there will be as full an understanding as possible of the
reasons for the action taken to ensure the willing co-operation and support of members of the
public Health Education associated with practical work is therefore a continuous part of the
activities of the Department. As a typical example of this work a special booklet was prepared
and distributed personally to every householder in the areas to be covered by Smoke Control
Orders
In addition every householder in these areas numbering some twelve hundred were personally
visited by the Public Health Inspectors responsible for this work
Similarly, food hygiene Codes of Practice dealing with hygiene in the retail meat trade
and the hygienic transport and handling of meat, and which were issued under the auspices of
the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were purchased for
free distribution to every butcher in the Borough To emphasise the desirability of hygiene
standards being brought up to the Codes of Practice, arrangements were made for the Inspectors
to interview every butcher and personally hand him a copy of the Codes in order that his
attention could be effectively drawn to what was expected of him and his staff
Advantage, of course, is taken of such opportunities which are offered in the routine
visiting of food premises, where advice bearing upon hygiene in the particular type of food
premises visited is almost invariably dealt with. The increasingly cosmopolitan character
of restaurants and other food premises undoubtedly adds interest and variety but may also
raise certain problems of differing standards and introduce perhaps in a small number of
cases some difficulties of language which have to be overcome This does not necessarily mean
that co-operation is not almost invariably forthcoming as may be observed from the decorative
but co-operative communication received from the proprietor of a Chinese restaurant and which
is reproduced in the Report.
Another sphere of health education where prevention and education are necessary and urgent
is in relation to the prevention of accidents in the home. This work was done partly through
the Islington Home Safety Committee and partly through the Public Health Department itself by
the holding of meetings, talks to old people's clubs, widespread distribution of printed
publicity matter as set out in this Report and which included also local co-operation with the
London County Council during its annual Home Safety Week.
Legislation
and
Problems
Although caravans have not in the past raised problems in Islington as they have done
in some other areas (probably because of the very limited possible caravan sites available),
nevertheless new powers which will come into force in 1960 should be helpful in reducing the
possibility of caravans becoming a nuisance by their being set up on unsuitable sites
New legislation will also ensure the requirement of approved standards for refuse
accommodation in connection with any new building Some of the refuse accommodation provided
in the past has been unsatisfactory, particularly that provided in connection with some of the
older blocks of flats, and has caused considerable physical difficulties in proper clearance
by the refuse collectors