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11
Smoke Nuisance
The problems of atmospheric pollution continue to be of major importance for preventing chest
disorders. Measurements of the grit and sulphur in the air have been carried out during the year, and the
results in the areas surrounding the three power stations, especially Neasden Power Station, show a slight
improvement (tables 40 and 41).
A public meeting was called in April for the purpose of discussing the problems of air pollution
and the Council's methods of dealing with them.
The Clean Air Act came into operation, in part, on 31st December, 1956, and the Council will be
concerned during the coming year with the planning of smokeless zones.
BOMBED SITES
The Health Department continues to deal with nuisances such as rats or refuse on the few remaining
bombed sites in the borough.
DISINFESTATION
The Public Health Inspectors inspect verminous premises and supervise the work of the disinfestors
employed by the Council (section 83 of the Public Health Act, 1936) (table 42). There was a slight decrease
in the work as compared with the previous year.
Disinfection and disinfestation of bedding materials is carried out at the Neasden Hospital (section 84
of the Public Health Act, 1936) transport being provided by the Council. The remainder of the work, i.e.,
the disinfection and disinfestation of rooms, collection of clothing and bedding for treatment and delivery after
treatments, is carried out by the Council's attendant.
From the 23rd October until the end of the year temporary arrangements were made for bed linen
to be treated at Hendon Isolation Hospital owing to a breakdown of the disinfecting plant at Neasden Hospital.
RODENT CONTROL
Rodent control, as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Infestation Branch), has
been carried out in the properties below: —
Business premises 234
Borough Council properties 12
Private dwellings 917
Total 1,163
at the following cost:
Business premises £1,433 2 1
Private dwellings £2,004 2 7
Total £3,437 4 8
The cost of disinfestation at business premises is recovered from the occupiers. In 1956, 113 had
an annual agreement with the Council for regular inspection and disinfestation; 10 were new agreements and
103 were renewals. The service is free to occupiers of private dwellings; the Borough Council recovers 50 per
cent of the cost from the Ministry.
Rodent control in the Council's sewers is carried out by the Borough Engineer's Department. Where
surface rat infestation is due to faulty connections in house drainage systems, the Borough Engineer's Department
arranges for opening the pavement.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES
All food premises in the borough are regularly inspected by the Public Health Inspectors (Table 46).
Improvements in Premises
The Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955, came into operation on the 1st January, 1956. These regulations
prescribe the conditions for the preparation, storage and sale of clean food. There has been a marked
improvement in hygiene in the production and sale of food.
Food premises were visited frequently by the Public Health Inspectors to bring them up to the
standards of the new regulations. Unsatisfactory premises were improved by the traders following verbal
or written notices. In some premises works are still either in progress or arrangements are being made for
the works to be carried out (Tables 43 and 47).