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24
SECTION C
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE AREA.
Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act, 1956.
The responsibility of the Health Department under this Act is
to ensure that farm workers have suitable and sufficient sanitary
accommodation and adequate washing facilities.
Atmospheric Pollution.
During the year, 430 observations and visits were made by the
Public Health Inspectors in connection with the Clean Air Act, 1956,
and in 17 cases it was necessary to call attention to infringements.
A happy relationship exists between the various factory managements
and the Public Health Department and any infringements
detected are dealt with on an informal basis.
This district is not shown as a black area by the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government on their map of the Greater London
area.
The district, which comprises some 20,000 acres, is well provided
with open spaces, parks and recreation grounds and with many
factories and private dwellings using oil fuel, the atmosphere is
comparatively free from pollution.
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.
Cesspools.
As forecast in my last Report, the number of drainage connections
made to the newly sewered roads in the Biggin Hill area was
highly satisfactory, almost 100%.