View report page

SCIENTIFIC BRANCH
the scientific branch undertakes analytical and consultative work in chemistry
and allied sciences, and its services are available to all departments of the Council.
The work of the branch is carried out in three groups of laboratories. At the County
Hall headquarters work is undertaken on foods, meals, trade effluents, atmospheric
pollution, detergents, laundries, paints and decorative materials, statutory work on
many Acts and Orders, fuels and all types of oils, building materials, waters of many
kinds, etc. The Northern and Southern Outfall laboratories, situated at Beckton and
Crossness respectively, are concerned with obtaining scientific data for the control of the
sewage treatment processes and ancillary plant and, in addition, at all laboratories research
on important 'domestic' matters is undertaken. The Scientific Adviser submits the
following summary of his annual report:
The demand for scientific advice resulting from the growing appreciation of the
financial advantages to be gained has its repercussions in local government and officers
of the Council consult the branch more frequently than in the past in an increasing range
of subjects. Not only have the 26 science graduates a wide collective experience but
there is regular contact between the Council laboratories and the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research's research establishments and liaison with other
research organisations and with scientists in the nationalised industries. With this broad
basis materials are examined and claims and proved facts disentangled. Research work
on a domestic problem is pursued when the financial aspects warrant it and a strict watch
is maintained to utilise the available scientific manpower in the service to the very best
advantage. The research projects pursued in all the laboratories, the advice given on
processes and methods and the watch maintained on deliveries and materials used on
sites, constitute a considerable financial asset to the Council whilst figuratively providing
an insurance premium against low standard products and claims against the Council and,
furthermore, the branch provides the evidence to ensure the compliance with the
requirements of the many Acts and Orders which the Council has to administer.
Synopsis of work done
The total number of samples examined was 33,491, which exceeds by 3,156 that of the
previous year. This does not indicate the full extent of the work because it takes no
account of the advisory and consultative work undertaken by the senior officers which
may not require the examination of samples nor are details of the research projects
numbered. This advisory service has developed extensively in recent years and, serving
as it does to give an opinion, frequently informally, on materials to be used, must tend
to reduce maintenance costs appreciably. It is important that this liaison with user
departments should be encouraged, for the use of unsuitable materials can be the cause of
considerable replacement costs and frequently only by scientific appraisal can they be
known to be unsuitable.