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96
DISINFECTION
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.
Steam disinfecting plants are situated at the Council's Depots at
Waldo Road, Bromley and Crofton Road, Orpington. Articles
unsuitable for treatment by steam disinfection are disinfected by
chemical means. In appropriate cases premises where infectious
diseases have occurred are disinfected by suitable chemical sprays
and fumigants. Disinfection of bedding is carried out on request
for hospitals in the area.
Where notifiable infectious diseases are involved, these
services are free of charge.
Similar provisions are made for disinfection on request where
non-notifiable illness has occurred. In such cases an approved
nominal charge may be made.
DISINFESTATION
Premises and articles infested by vermin and insects are also
treated by the disinfecting operators. Approved charges are made
for this service. Thirty-eight requests were received for this service.
WASP NEST DESTRUCTION
A service to destroy wasp nests was put into effect during 1966.
Suitable protective clothing and equipment was provided for three
Disinfector/Handymen, and a charge of £1 per clearance was
approved. As had been anticipated the scheme proved to meet a
definite need and some 370 nests were destroyed. Experience
during this first season of operation has shown that the scheme
could be improved if more of the outside staff were equipped to
undertake this work, and consequently two rodent operatives are
being provided with the required protective clothing and materials.
CLEAN AIR ACT 1956
There was virtually no smoke fog during the winter of 1966-67.
This may not be entirely attributable to the progress of smoke
control in London, but these procedures have played a dominant
part. The Chief Medical Officer to the Ministry of Health, in his
Annual Report for 1966, now states :—
"The clear association of pollution with bronchitis alone
should make it imperative that authorities should do their
utmost to reduce what is almost certainly one of the greatest