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6
graphs which show the extent of the drying-out process which was
necessary. In addition to the work of the public health inspectors
and technical assistants, health visitors, home nurses and other
staff played their part in helping the unfortunate residents of this
area with the many health problems which arose. Close liaison
was maintained with officers of the Welfare Department under
Mr. North. Chief Welfare Officer, who arranged emergency feeding
and temporary accommodation for many of the residents, and
with other Corporation Departments.
Progress with Smoke Control in 1968 was less rapid than in
previous years but we are now in sight of the whole of Wandsworth
as a Smoke Control area. The map facing page 49 illustrates
the present position.
But as one environmental hazard is overcome, or at least ameliorated,
others arise. For some time it has been apparent that nuisance
from noise is becoming, if it has not already become, a public
health problem. The Noise Abatement Act gives powers to deal
with domestic and industrial noise but noise due to traffic, and
more specifically due to aircraft in flight, is outside the scope of
this legislation. In any case, it is extremely difficult to effect any
amelioration in traffic noise. The same applies in even greater
measure to noise from aircraft and since parts of Wandsworth are
situated under the direct flight paths into London Airport, the
western part of the Borough is at times subjected to considerable
nuisance from aircraft noise.
During the year, a survey was undertaken by the Scientific
Department of the Greater London Council of noise tolerances in
certain boroughs, including Wandsworth, on the approaches to
London Airport. Measurement and assessment of aircraft noise
is a difficult technical matter. Suffice it here to say that the noise
level was estimated by calculating the Noise and Number Index
(N.N.I.) based on the average peak level of aircraft noise and the
number of aircraft passing. An N.N.I, of about 55 has been looked
upon as an undesirable or unacceptable noise level. In fact, in the
case of Wandsworth, readings taken at four points in the western
part of the Borough showed that in no case did the N.N.I, exceed
55. Compared with other boroughs nearer to London Airport,
Wandsworth is probably better placed both as regards aircraft
going in to land and those taking off. Nevertheless, the nuisance
from aircraft is a factor which cannot be ignored.
Another possible nuisance arises from the emission of unburnt
kerosene fuel from aircraft. This is a matter to which less attention
has been given than to noise but jet aircraft may not infrequently
be observed to eject unburnt exhaust fuels which must
come down, although undoubtedly widely dispersed. It is not
easy to measure this hazard since unburnt fuel being emitted at
high temperature would be quickly atomized and, depending on