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SCIENTIFIC BRANCH
The Scientific branch provides an advisory service to all departments of the Council
on matters involving chemistry, physics and allied sciences. Similar service is provided, as
required, to the metropolitan borough councils. In addition to statutory duties, the branch
has important functions relating to health, safety and amenity. It is responsible for giving
guidance on the efficient and economical use of material of all types used in the Council's
service for construction, maintenance and consumption.
The work is carried out in three groups of laboratories by a staff of 73. The headquarters
laboratories at the County Hall cover the following main subject headings:
(i) Air pollution, environmental radioactivity, ventilation.
(ii) Noise and acoustics, fire precautions and investigations, industrial matters.
(iii) Building materials and development work, floor maintenance, insecticides and
fungicides, plastics, metals.
(iv) Paint and decorative materials.
(v) Fuel and boiler plant technology, heat insulation materials, drinking water, trade
wastes.
(vi) Detergents, laundries, swimming baths.
(vii) Statutory, food, drugs, medical and general supplies.
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 process and ancillary plant together with research on projects potentially useful
to the main drainage service.
Samples totalling 63,187 were examined during 1961 in the course of analytical, experimental
and research work. This record of samples does not include much of the consultative
service given by the senior professional officers, which was not necessarily associated with
laboratory work.
A summary of the activities of the branch which have a direct or indirect application
to the field of public health is given below. Full particulars are given in the annual report
of the Scientific Adviser.*
River Thames
The condition of London's river is of special concern to the Council. In addition to
effluents from the Council's own sewage treatment plants, there are sources of pollution
from other sewage works, impure tributaries, trade discharges and contamination from
shipping. To assess the condition of the water under varying conditions of fresh water
and tidal flow, and to compare the state between seasons of the year and over periods of
years, regular examinations are made involving chemical analysis of water taken from
26 points over a distance of 80 miles. The area examined extends from the upper limit of
the tidal reaches at Teddington to the sludge dumping area at Black Deep in the outer
estuary. The results are communicated to the Port of London Authority.
The middle and lower reaches of the river showed general improvement when compared
with conditions during the previous ten years, although low upland flow due to lack of
rain during the late summer of 1961 caused deterioration in the upper reaches of the tidal
river for a time. Improvement in the condition of the river off the Northern Outfall Works
was attributable to operation of new plant at this works, which includes diffused air
activated sludge units.
Sewage treatment
The treatment of sewage at both outfall works is the joint responsibility of the Chief
Engineer and the Medical Officer of Health. Close daily collaboration is maintained between
* Annual Report of the Scientific Adviser for the Year 1961, the London County Council, price Is. 3d.
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