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It is unfortunate, to say the least of it, that the time
when the prevention of atmospheric pollution is becoming a matter
of major policy should coincide with the introduction of yet
another serious hazard this time from nuclear and allied radiations
resulting from the peaceful uses of atomic energy in industry
including the use of x-rays and of radioactive isotopes and from
international efforts to build up the "atomic deterrent". The
addition of these radiations to those occurring naturally from
certain heavy elements in the earth's crust and from cosmic rays
reaching us from outer space may one day, and before long, induce
a level of radioactivity in our surroundings harmful to the
maintenance of health and, by causing undesirable genetic mutations,
constitute a threat to future generations Indeed, one can
foresee the time when the Geiger counter will become as important
a piece of public health equipment as the sampling bottle or
deposit gauge is today
During the year steady progress was made in regard to the
implementation of the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955. Much work
and constant vigilance is necessary to ensure that satisfactory
standards of production and handling of food are not only achieved
but, also, maintained Even when cleanliness, repair of food
premises, the supply of wash hand basins, hot and cold water and
facilities for washing food and equipment are of a satisfactory
standard, real cleanliness depends, ultimately, on the acceptance
by food handlers, both management and staff, of a personal responsibility
to the public, and we cannot say that this is invariably
the case During the year 1,105 inspections of food and food
preparing premises were carried out by the Public Health Inspectors
and improvements were carried out or defects remedied under the
Regulations at 78 premises. Eleven premises were dealt with for
infestations by rats and mice.
During the year the Housing Act, 1957, and the Rent Act,
1957, came into operation The former was largely a consolidating
Act, while the latter, in that it aimed, among other things, at
the preservation of the structure of existing houses, placed a
good deal of extra work on the Chief Public Health Inspector and
his colleagues, particularly in connection with certificates of
disrepair
Steady progress has been made during the year in the clearance
of unfit houses within the framework of the 5 year plan submitted
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