View report page

109
DISINFECTION
There are two steam disinfecting plants in operation in the
Borough. These are situated at the Council's depots at Waldo
Road, Bromley, and Crofton Road, Orpington.
Articles of clothing, bedding, etc., requiring disinfection
following cases of infectious disease are collected and delivered in
specially constructed metal lined vehicles and are taken to the
depots where disinfection is carried out by experienced operators.
Articles unsuitable for treatment by steam disinfection are treated
by chemical means; in appropriate cases operators also disinfect,
by suitable chemical sprays and fumigants, premises where
infectious diseases have occurred.
Disinfection of bedding is carried out on request for hospitals.
Where notifiable infectious disease is involved these services
are carried out free of charge.
Similar provision is also made for disinfection, on request,
where non-notifiable illness is involved. In such cases an approved
nominal charge may be made.
D1SINFESTATION
Premises and articles infested by vermin and insects are also
treated by the disinfecting operators. Approved charges are made
for this service. It was only necessary for seventeen premises to be
treated.
Provision is made for the cleansing of persons, affected by
scabies or vermin, to be carried out at the Lewisham Cleansing
Station. It was only found necessary to refer two such cases for
treatment.
OTHER INSECT INFESTATION
Many requests, over 300, were received for the destruction of
wasp nests. These were referred to private contractors who had
expressed willingness to undertake this work at the complainant's
expense. The number of complaints finally proved greater than
the contractors wished to handle and it was felt the Council should
consider a scheme to provide a service to destroy wasp nests.
Such a service has subsequently been approved and will be
operated by members of the department's staff in future wasp
seasons. A charge of £1 per clearance will be made.
CLEAN AIR ACT
The main source of atmospheric pollution is the burning of
ordinary "household coal" in the domestic grates. The Government's
policy in establishing "Smoke Control Area" is to obviate