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SCIENTIFIC BRANCH
The Scientific Branch undertakes analytical and consultative work in chemistry and
allied sciences for all departments of the Council.
The work of the branch is carried out in three groups of laboratories by a staff
numbering 62. At the County Hall headquarters a wide field is covered including air
pollution, building and decorative materials, food, fuels, lubricants, laundries, trade
effluents, swimming baths, statutory duties, 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.
Close liaison was maintained with officers in government departments, research organisations,
and scientific societies, and the Scientific Adviser and senior officers were members
of a number of committees under the auspices of other bodies.
A summary of these activities from the Scientific Adviser's annual report is given
below.
Synopsis of work done
Samples examined during 1957 totalled 33,477, and the following table indicates their
main categories. This record of laboratory examinations takes no account of much
advisory service, not necessarily associated with analytical work, given by the senior
professional officers which is an important function of the branch :
Air from vehicular tunnels 260
Bacteriological, miscellaneous 50
Building materials 588
Chemicals, drugs and medical supplies 97
Clay, sub-soils and borehole waters 2,617
Detergents and soaps 142
Fertilisers and feeding stuffs 105
Foods 463
Floor oils 49
Fuel (coal and coke) 25
Gases from sludge digestion plant 441
Instrument sets (ambulance) for sterilisation 34
Insulating materials for hot water systems 30
Lamps ; gas detector 425
Laundry tests 22
Liquor (effluent from Beckton Gas Works) 463
Meals 52
Metals 29
Milk 54
Miscellaneous, numerous categories 174
Oils, lubricating and fuel 61
Paints, varnishes, distempers 1,495
Petroleum and allied samples 38
Rain water (air pollution deposits) 84
Sewage and effluent 2,426
Sludge, primary, digested, activated 3,561
Smoke in air, determinations 3,732
Sulphur gases in air
Lead peroxide method 110
Volumetric method. 3,731
Water, steam raising plant 1,342
Water, chemical and bacteriological examination
Drinking water 1,024
Swimming baths 1,103
River water 3,484
Water, miscellaneous 55
Trade effluents 2,810
Research and investigation samples2,301
33,477
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