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42
SCIENTIFIC BRANCH
The Scientific Branch undertakes analytical and consultative work in chemistry and
allied sciences and research on ' domestic ' matters for all departments of the Council.
The work of the branch, much of it most important from the point of view of public
health, is carried out in three groups of laboratories by a staff numbering 61. 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 together with research on new
methods. Close liaison is maintained with officers in government departments, research
organisations, and scientific societies, and the Scientific Adviser and senior officers are
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 1958 totalled 36,369, 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 254
Bacteriological, miscellaneous 71
Building materials 590
Chemicals, drugs and medical supplies 268
Clay, sub-soils and borehole waters 4,492
Detergents and soaps 124
Fertilisers and feeding stuffs 96
Foods 499
Floor oils 71
Fuel (coal and coke) 10
Gases from sludge digestion plant 433
Instrument sets (ambulance) for sterilisation 24
Insulating materials for hot water systems 31
Lamps; gas detector 470
Laundry tests 166
Liquor (effluent from Beckton Gas Works) 714
Meals 54
Metals 46
Milk 58
Miscellaneous, numerous categories 237
Oils, lubricating and fuel 87
Paints, varnishes, distempers 1,718
Petroleum and allied samples 38
Rain water (air pollution deposits) 84
Sewage and effluent 2,079
Sludge; primary, digested, activated 3,386
Smoke in air, determinations 3,960
Sulphur gases in air:
Lead peroxide method 128
Volumetric method 3,953
Water, steam raising plant 1,401
Water, chemical and bacteriological examination:
Drinking water 954
Swimming baths 1,247
River water 3,570
Water, miscellaneous 86
Trade effluents 2,648
Research and investigation samples 2,349
36,369
* A full account of the work of the Scientific Branch is given in the Annual Report of the Scientific Adviser
for the Year 1958. The London County Council, price Js. 3d.