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48
the total pollution is not lessened. While it needed an unusual combination
of circumstances to bring about the conditions that gave rise to the
December fogs for this contamination to cause the appalling damage
which resulted, the position is that this pollution is continuous,
and this noxious matter in polluted air must have a detrimental effect on
human and animal health and comfort, an effect not violent but persistent.
Improvement can be brought about, but of course only at a price. The
economists can decide whether the cost of removing these impurities is
less than the cost of remedying the damage done to buildings, to fabrics,
to crops, to agricultural land and to cattle—quite apart from the injury
to humans. Some measures can be applied to reduce the pollution by
solid particles, but these may have no affect on the gaseous oxides of
sulphur.
The solid constituents from the combustion of coal can be reduced
by improving fuel utilisation as this would result in a reduction in the
coal consumed, by thorough cleansing of the coal, which would prevent
potentially polluting matter reaching the furnaces, and by house coal
being replaced by smokeless fuel, or by its being burned in efficient
modern grates or stoves. Such measures, while reducing the solid contents
of the polluting smoke would do nothing to reduce the pollution
by sulphur gasses: probably it is only the power stations or larger factories
with their larger coal consumption concentrated in a few combustion
units which can bring about any significant reduction of this
constituent.
Infestation of Premises.
1,498 complaints of infestation by rats or mice were received during
the year. No infestation was found in 170 cases. 1,175 complaints were
of infestations of private houses (rats 1,048; mice 127). Of the 153
infestations of other premises, rats were the trouble in 99 and mice 54.
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation of Buildings) Regulations, 1951,
came into force on 1st February, 1952. Any person undertaking the
fumigation of premises with cyanide is required to notify the Medical
Officer of Health. Anyone attending on his behalf is allowed to remain
in the risk area only if he is an authorised person and carries the appropriate
certificate of authority.
Licensed Premises.
73 visits were made to licensed premises in the district during the
year; and a report on the conditions found was submitted to the Licensing
Justices.
At two of the premises major works of improvements were carried
out to the kitchens, and at others improved sanitary accommodation was
provided. At 18 other houses, work of cleansing and redecorating the
bars and other public rooms was carried out.
Cinemas and premises licensed by the Middlesex County Council for
music and dancing were visited and a report on the conditions found was
submitted to the Middlesex County Council.