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32
The results during the year again showed variations in different localities of the
County due to factors such as local sources of pollution ; there was also a well marked
contrast between urban and rural conditions. Seasonal fluctuations were clearly evident
during the cycle of months. The generally higher level of pollution found in winter
months is due to the combined effect of increased coal consumption and the occurrence
of meteorological conditions unfavourable to dispersal of particles and gases emitted
from chimneys.
Apart from its long-term detrimental effects, atmospheric pollution is particularly
objectionable in meteorological conditions where there is a lack of convective up-currents
of air, since the contaminants may then accumulate to concentrations acutely dangerous
to health. An extreme case of such conditions occurred during the period 5th to 8th
December, 1952, when there were four consecutive days of frost and dense fog. During
the period midday Saturday 6th, to the morning of Monday, 8th December, pollution
rose to the highest yet recorded in the Chemical Branch records, namely, sulphur
dioxide 1.34 parts per million, and smoke 4.46 milligrams per cubic metre at County
Hall. Official notifications of deaths for the week ending 13th December showed that
abnormally large numbers of persons had died from causes connected with difficulty of
breathing, and this high general death rate was comparable with the peak mortality of
such events as the cholera epidemic of 1866 and the influenza pandemic of 1918.
By virtue of a standing agreement with the Ministries concerned, the Chemist-inChief
accompanied the Chief Alkali Inspector of the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government on his visits of inspection to test the efficiency of the flue gas washing plant
at Battersea Power Station. Similar facilities for inspection were sought and obtained in
regard to the newly constructed Bankside Power Station which is also to incorporate
flue gas washing plant.
Other fields of public health work which have been closely watched are those dealing
with insecticides and disinfectants and assistance and advice have been given as required.
The Chemist-in-Chief was a member of the Working Group set up by the Medical
Officer to consider all aspects of disinfection in relation to all branches of the service and
to make recommendations accordingly.
Problems and work on industrial hygiene and safety ranged over a wide field;
examples were: (a) safety precautions after the spillage or leakage of petroleum spirit;
(b) some yellow coloured chalks for schools contained lead chromate and were rejected;
(c)precautions were advised to prevent dermatitis when using water-insoluble synthetic
resin glues.
Public control
Samples taken under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926 (under which the
Chemist-in-Chief is the Official Agricultural Analyst for the County), were examined
as to whether they complied with the statutory statement of ingredients which is required
to be given with every sale and also (in the case of feeding stuffs) as to their freedom
from deleterious substances ; several were reported upon adversely. Many samples were
also examined under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928, the provisions of which
govern licences for storage and safety precautions regarding petroleum spirit and
petroleum mixtures. Cases were also considered and examined relating to certain sections
of the London Building Acts, 1930-39, referring especially to dangerous businesses and
to means of escape when inflammable materials are stored or used; alterations to plant
were recommended in certain instances. Another Act with which the Chemical Branch
was concerned was the L.C.C. (Celluloid, etc.) Act, 1915.
Many samples of bread were analysed under the Bread Order, 1951, to determine
whether the short weight supplied was due to the bread being either 'fancy bread' or
'protein fortified'. In some cases, where this was not so, court proceedings were attended
by an officer of the Chemical Branch to support the certificate given. Premises of
degreasers and rubber spreading works operating under licence were visited periodically
and samples of the atmosphere in the machines were taken for subsequent analysis to
ensure that the safety regulations regarding the limitation of inflammable gases, derived
from volatile solvents, were being duly observed.