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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. Much
of the work of the branch, which is carried out in three groups of laboratories by a staff
of 64, has a special importance, however, from the point of view of public health. At the
County Hall headquarters a wide field is covered including air pollution, building ar.d
decorative materials, food, laundries, trade effluents, swimming baths, and statutory
duties. 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 ard
scientific societies, and the Scientific Adviser and other senior officers are members of a
number of committees under the auspices of other bodies.
A summary of activities taken from the Scientific Adviser's annual report* is given below.
Synopsis of work done
During 1959 35,286 samples were examined and their main categories are indicated in
the following table. The figures of examinations exclude much advice, not necessarily
associated with analytical work, which is an important function of the branch and is given
by the senior professional officers.
Air from vehicular tunnels 260
Bacteriological, miscellaneous 123
Building materials 1,037
Chemicals, drugs and medical supplies 132
Clays, sub-soils and borehole waters 3,302
Detergents and soaps 190
Fertilisers and feeding stuffs 93
Foods 570
Gases from sludge digestion plant 304
Instrument sets (ambulance) for sterilisation 172
Lamps; gas detector 505
Laundry tests 97
Liquor (effluent from Beckton Gas Works) 720
Meals 54
Milk 53
Miscellaneous, numerous categories 621
Oils; lubricating and fuel 74
Paints, varnishes, distempers 1,830
Petroleum and allied samples 29
Rain water (air pollution deposits) 80
Sewage and effluent 2,458
Sludge; primary, digested, activated 2,823
Smoke in air, determinations 3,791
Sulphur gases in air:
Lead dioxide method 118
Volumetric method 3,780
Trade effluents 2,243
Water, steam raising plant 1,335
Water, chemical and bacteriological examination:
Drinking water 840
Swimming baths 1,929
River water 2,798
Water, miscellaneous 179
Research and investigation samples 2,746
35,286
* A full account of the work of the Scientific branch is given in the Annual Report of the Scientific Adviser
for the Year 1959, The London County Council, price Is. 3d.
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