View report page

Sludge digestion provided gas at the rate of half a million cubic feet daily from the
reservoir plant which was shut down at the end of the year. During the last quarter of 1959
gas production commenced in a new plant, the initial performance of which was very
satisfactory.
A considerable programme of research and development work was carried out during
the year.
Trade waste discharges
The Council exercises control under the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1953 over industrial discharges into the London sewerage system; these have increased in
volume and complexity over recent years. About half of the 2,243 samples examined were
submitted by metropolitan boroughs.
Following the examination of unsatisfactory samples, officers of the Scientific branch and
of the Chief Engineer's department usually visit the premises to discuss with the occupiers
the problems involved in treating the discharges. A similar procedure is followed when
consideration is given to applications for permission to make new discharges where
standards have to be prescribed.
Safety in sewers
Regular examination of inflammable-gas detector lamps of the expanding metal spiral
type and those based on selective diffusion is made to ensure that all lamps are in good
order and advice is given as required on the use of respirators.
Air pollution
The Council has co-operated for many years with the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research in investigating the incidence of air pollution. Observations were made at
21 sites, which were reported to the Warren Spring Laboratory for collation with those of
other authorities and publication. They are also being used by the department generally
in a continuing statistical investigation of their relationship with mortality.
A progressive tendency for improvement in the smoke content of London air has been
observed since the inception of the Clean Air Act and the measurements indicated a further
reduction of 7 per cent. during the year. Part of the improvement was due to the mild
weather in December with consequent reduction in fuel consumption.
Regular visits were made in company with the Alkali Inspector of the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government to test the efficiency of the flue gas washing plants at
Battersea and Bankside electricity generating stations.
The widespread applications of nuclear science have drawn attention to the risks of
environmental contamination by radioactive matter; such contamination can arise from
tests of nuclear explosives, reactor accidents, or unguarded use of the radioisotopes now
being widely utilised in hospitals, research laboratories and industry. Analysis of air-borne
dust provides a sensitive and early indication of any change in conditions, and for this
reason continuous monitoring of the atmosphere was again maintained throughout the
year. During the first four months of 1959 the results indicated delayed contamination of
the atmosphere by large-scale tests which took place in the previous autumn. There had
been no subsequent tests and the residue of air-borne contamination decreased rapidly
during the second half of the year.
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 was unpleasantly high.
This was mainly attributable to the diesel-engined heavy vehicles 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 relatively low.
51
D