London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Harrow 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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| 2. | Industrial Incinerators | Type of refuse | Total | ||
| Wood waste | Mixed refuse | ||||
| 1 | 7 | 8 | |||
| 3. | Industrial Furnaces | Type of fuel burnt | Total | ||
| Coke | Oil | ||||
| Glass making and metal casting | 7 | 9 | 16 | ||
| 4. | Other Steam Raising Boilers | ||||
| Type and No. of Boilers | Type of fuel burnt | Total | |||
| Coke | Oil | ||||
| Shell—vertical | 6 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Shell—horizontal | 1 | - | 1 | ||
| Total | 7 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 5. | Central Heating Boilers | Type of fuel burnt | Total | ||
| Coal | Coke | Oil | |||
| 15 | 27 | 16 | 58 | ||
Of the 41 boilers in Group 1, only two of the 25 using coal are handtired.
There are five boilers in this group where in addition to coke or
coal, wood waste is consumed. Among these, with some in Group 2,
are the most troublesome industrial chimneys in the district.
All the 15 central heating boilers burning coal (Group 5) are
mechanically fired; the fuel used is either washed or graded. The figures
relating to central heating boilers do not include those at the schools that
are controlled by the County Council; at only one of these is coal consumed,
and in this case the boiler is fitted with a mechanical stoker to which
the coal is automatically fed. There are, however, some schools where
open coal fires are still in use.
During the year boilers at three establishments changed from solid
fuel to oil; among these was one of the hand-fired coal-burning plants.
Towards the end of the year at one other large industrial establishment,
work of this nature was in hand.
London and Home Counties Smoke Abatement Advisory CouncilThe
main functions of this body are of an advisory and consultative
nature regarding the elimination or reduction of atmospheric pollution.
The Borough Council decided to join the Advisory Council.
Complaints. A number of factories and premises are now experiencing
difficulty in getting rid of their trade waste because these days
they are deprived of the facilities previously at their disposal in getting
rid of them at a refuse tip or disposal plant. This has resulted in their
burning the waste, with consequent smoke nuisance.
Hazards of Radiation. Although it has been apparent for some
years that local authorities would in time become affected by the growing
use of nuclear energy in one form or another, and although people who
are worried about the possibility of food having been contaminated look
to those in the health department for information and reassurance, no
indication has been given that either the local sanitary authorities or the
local health authorities have any responsibilities in the matter. The