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The Health of Barking
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
In another part of my Report I referred to the general housing position in the
district. It should not be difficult for the average householder to keep his house
free from vermin. Such difficulties that do exist, however, have been aggravated
by the increased density of persons living in each house and the problems associated
with dual occupation. The Housing Manager reports that in connection with
Barking Corporation houses the number of premises found infested and treated
was 34. The method of treatment provides for the use of insecticide containing
D.D.T. In the present acute house shortage there is serious difficulty in using
hydrocyanic gas.
FLY NUISANCE
With the continuance of the difficult food position in the country, there has
been further emphasis on the keeping of the backyard fowl and the utility rabbit—
this means food scraps and flies.
In addition, the dumping of rubbish on bombed sites, the building of heaps
of putrescible matter on allotments, etc., has increased the disease-carrying
potentialities of the fly.
Special inspections were carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors of all places
where flies were likely to breed.
To deal with the problem it is becoming apparent that the Council will need
to undertake more positive action by employing a mobile spraying unit.
Whilst there is still no evidence that flies are responsible for the spread of
poliomyelities it is a reasonable precaution to have regard to the dangers of fly-borne
disease.
I cannot pass from this subject without reference to the storage and collection
of waste food made by the Council at the request of the Board of Trade. In
summer, using present methods, this collection does increase our health hazards.
I must emphasise the need for householders to be supplied with covered receptacles.
THE SMOKE MENACE.
In my Report for the year 1947 I did indicate that when the details of pollution
as measured at the three collection stations became available it would be possible
for me to make a more authoritative statement.
The following tables show the soot fall in tons per square mile at the three
stations, and also the pollution due to the emission of sulphur gases.
With the factual evidence gathered through the deposit gauges I can now
say with regret that Barking is a dirty town. Smoke knows no parish or borough
boundaries, but with the huge coal consumption of the two very large utility
undertakings—viz. the Generating Station of the British Electricity Board and the
Gas Works at Becton, together with the additional 80 industrial and commercial
chimneys—it is to be expected that the atmospheric pollution in the Borough will
be heavy.
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