Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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CLEAN AIR ACT, 1968.
Since the coming into force of the Clean Air Act, 1956, which
provided principally for the introduction of smoke control areas, the
regulation of smoke and grit from industrial chimneys and the control
of industrial chimney heights, there has been a great improvement in
the purity of our atmosphere. Ground level smoke concentrations in
the Borough have been reduced by 60 per cent. and ground level sulphur
dioxide concentrations by 16 per cent., since 1958 when measurements
commenced. In some respects, however, the provisions of the 1956
Act have been found inadequate and the Clean Air Act, 1968 is intended
to remedy these defects. The most important provisions affecting
this Borough ares:-
1. The emission of dark smoke due to the burning of
trade refuse will be controlled.
2. The Act widens the control of chimney heights to
include large heating installations for flats,
offices and shops and gives the Council power to
require existing chimneys to be raised when certain
alterations to furnaces are carried out.
3. Fuel merchants, subject to certain exceptions, may
be prosecuted for selling raw coal for delivery to a
building in a smoke control area.
13. COMPLAINTS.
The following is a brief list of causes for complaints received
during 1968 which resulted in investigation by the department and in
all cases appropriate action was taken.
Accumulations 67
Animals 10
Birds (Pigeons) 61
Caravans - illegal parking 5
Car Spraying 3
Dampness 181
Dangerous Buildings 4
Drainage/Sanitary Arrangements 1,034
Dustbins 21
Flooding 57
Foods 149
Food Hygiene 16
General Housing Defects 198
C/Fwd. 1,745