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The Environment
The work of the public health inspectorate in relation to the environmental health services
is detailed in tabular and statistical form on pages 76-88. I would however, like to draw
attention to a number of matters of topical interest.
The world of hearing consists of two types of sound, that which causes communication,
and that which interferes with it. We define this latter unwanted sound as "noise".
Nuisance from noise is a natural phenomenon in our daily lives arising in part from
earlier industrial and urban development associated with insufficient town planning, and in part
from the speed at which we live, the latter frequently coupled with selfishness or thoughtlessness
on the part of an individual. Like most forms of nuisance much of the noise suffered is either
unnecessary or capable of prevention or modification.
One hundred and twenty nine complaints were received and investigated by the Department
about noise from a variety of sources including noise from factories, from launderettes, from scrap
metal yards, from traffic, from refrigerators and other equipment in commercial premises, from ice
cream vendors chimes, from pneumatic road drills, from car and motorcycle engines and slamming
of car doors late at night and from clubs and public houses where musical entertainment is provided.
Many difficulties are inherent in dealing with the problem of noise. It is not just a question
of volume, intermittency, frequency of pitch of the noise, the time of day, the place it occurs, or
the relationship with background noise. Neither does the problem solely depend on whether the
person aggrieved is working, at leisure, or resting. The real question is the effect of noise in the
mind of the listener, and it is this which brings the subjective element into the assessment of a
noise nuisance. A noise which is pleasant to some is repugnant to others; "pop sessions" may
provide a stimulating experience to some while being regarded as the most horrible cacophony to
those living next door; the roar of city traffic may pass unnoticed by a person who may be driven
to distraction by the dripping of a tap; to some the usual everyday background noise is essential
to their well-being but to those who are tired or ill that same noise may be a nightmare. Yet another
factor depends on tolerance, and the average person can very easily accept and become used to a
noise which at first is strident and disturbing. All these factors make noise complaints, particularly
in borderline cases, difficult to handle. An added complexity is that there is no precise dividing
line between the nuisance element and interference with amenities.
In assessing nuisance caused by noise, it is essential to realise that no single law can
ever be made to govern such a subjective matter and that any working rule must be based on the
statistical reactions of the public at large and not on any one individual. Even so, the reactions of
the public do fit into a pattern, and acceptable, though highly generalised, rules of behaviour can
be formulated and quantitative levels of noise which should be regarded as statutory limits in any
particular circumstance have in fact been recommended by a Committee set up by the Ministry for
Science to examine the problem of noise and to advise on measures which can be taken to mitigate
it (Wilson Report CMND 2056/63).
Despite these difficulties much can be done and has been done by the Department in the
control and prevention of noise from industrial and commercial premises and other sources.
According to national food surveys the consumption of processed and pre-packed foods
which preclude pre-sale examination by a retailer and customer continues to rise year by year and
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