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24
SECTION C.
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE AREA.
Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act, 1956.
The main object of this Act is to make provision for securing
the safety, health and welfare of farm workers and avoiding accidents
to children arising out of the use of agricultural equipment.
Atmospheric Pollution.
There are only light industries in the northern part of the district
and they are confined to a small area at St. Mary Cray, and with
many of these and also the two large Hospitals converting their
boiler plants from solid fuel to oil fuel burning, there is very little
smoke emission into the atmosphere from industrial premises.
The district, which comprises some 20,000 acres, has many open
spaces, parks and recreation grounds, and is not subjected to excessive
smoke pollution from domestic premises, particularly in the
southern part of the area which is rural in character.
During the year, some 545 observations and visits were made by
the Public Health Inspectors in connection with atmospheric pollution
and in only five cases was it necessary to call attention to
infringements.
The Council co-operates with the Fuel Research Station acting
under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in the
measurement of atmospheric pollution. There are two sites in the
district at one of which a deposit gauge is positioned for the
measurement of solid matter suspended in the atmosphere and at the
other a Lead Peroxide Cylinder for the measurement of sulphur
dioxide. At monthly intervals, samples are forwarded to the
Council's Analyst and reports thereon are submitted to the Fuel
Research Station.
The Council is represented by the Chairman of the Public
Health Committee and the Chief Public Health Inspector on the
London and Home Counties Smoke Abatement Advisory Council,
the National Smoke Abatement Society, and the Standing Conference
of Local Authorities which co-operate with the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research.
The Chief Public Health Inspector has been appointed to the
Executive Council of the Smoke Abatement Advisory Council.
Cesspools.
The bulk of the work this year in connection with the abolition
of cesspools, has been carried out in the Biggin Hill area where
sewers have been installed as part of private street works.