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Public Health
Care is taken to ensure that the water supplies to Council establishments are of satisfactory
quality. In the majority of cases water is taken from a public supply, but
15 residential schools and other premises draw water from private wells. In these cases
the supply is chlorinated before use by means of automatic dosing apparatus and the
water supplied is regularly examined.
The air in the Council's vehicular tunnels under the Thames was examined weekly
in order to ensure that forced ventilation gave an adequate dilution of exhaust gases.
Carbon monoxide was kept within the specified limit on most occasions at both
Blackwall and Rotherhithe tunnels, but the amount of black suspended matter showed
an increase in comparison with previous years. This change is attributable to the larger
proportion of diesel-engined heavy vehicles now in use, which can be a prolific source
of smoke unless carefully maintained and properly driven. The amount of carbon
monoxide produced by the diesel engine is, however, relatively low.
Other work relating to hygiene and safety included the examination of disinfectants.
Advice was given on the disinfection of the tubes of firemen's breathing apparatus.
The strength of salt solutions to be taken by personnel exposed to great heat at fires
was specified. Drawing inks were examined for toxic constituents, mainly aniline.
In certain cases where skin exposure to fuel and other oils was liable to cause dermatitis
the use of a barrier cream was advocated.
Public control
The Scientific Adviser is the Official Agricultural Analyst to the County under the
Fertiliser and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926. 101 samples were examined under the Act,
and 27 of them varied in some way from the Statutory Statements or Voluntary
Warranties given by the vendors. Many samples were examined under the Petroleum
(Consolidation) Act, 1928, the provisions of which govern liccnces for storage and
safety precautions regarding petroleum spirit and petroleum mixtures. Of these, 20
samples were found to come within the provisions of the Act. Visits of inspection were
made to premises where inflammable solvent is used in licensed processes to ensure that
the content of petroleum vapour did not exceed the limit prescribed for safety. Advice
was sought in several instances on premises and processes employed to which the
London Building Acts, 1930-39 applied.
Parks
Although some work was done for this department on fertilisers, soils and other matters
of horticultural interest, the major item of work was to ensure efficient water treatment
and pleasant bathing at the 16 open-air swimming baths provided for public use. The
condition of the water is tested daily by bath attendants and visits are made periodically
by officers of the branch.
School meals, education and children's departments
In co-operation with the School Meals and Catering Department, 52 meals were
analysed for fat, protein, carbohydrate, mineral contents and calorific value in order
to ascertain that the standards aimed at were being provided by the kitchens. The
results showed a good approximation to the requirements of the various nutritional
factors for the age groups concerned.
Swimming bath waters at 24 schools and institutions were examined and the
improvised treatment of the former worked well and will be continued until authorisation
by the appropriate Ministry for the expenditure for installing automatic treatment
plants is obtained.
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