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
Kingston upon Thames 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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The position at the end of the year can be summarised as follows:-
| Number of Areas | Dwelling Houses | |
|---|---|---|
| Areas in operation | 21 | 20,644 |
| Orders made in 1969 (Areas 16 and 17) | 2 | 3,902 |
| Areas being surveyed (Areas 18 and 19) | 2 | 2,950 |
| Future Areas (The numbering of Areas was not consecutive prior to the formation of the new Royal Borough) | 8 | 20,722 |
Air Pollution Complaints.
There were 120 complaints from the public about nuisance from
smoke and grit; 63 of these concerned bonfires, 18 smoke from
factory chimneys; 25 smoking domestic chimneys and 14 grit and smuts.
Chimney Heights.
Five plans were submitted for approval of chimney heights under
the Clean Air Acts, 1956 and 1968. Some architects and engineers do
not appreciate the importance of designing chimneys at an early stage
Consequently difficulties arise when final plans have to be hurriedly
modified to comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Acts,
Smoke and Sulphur Dioxide.
Six continuously operating instruments for measuring smoke and
sulphur dioxide are sited in various parts of the Borough,, These are
read daily but are being gradually replaced by automatic instruments
which need reading only once a week. The new instruments are being
built by a member of the staff. The results are processed by the
Ministry of Technology who during the year produced a draft report on
Smoke and Sulphur Dioxide in the Greater London Area which demonstrates
conclusively that there has been a great improvement during the last
ten years, The Greater London Council have also produced a report,
"The progress and effects of Smoke Control in London" in which the
following points are made:-