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82 Environmental Health
Measurement and Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution
Seven stations for measuring smoke and sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere were operated in 1967.
The daily volumetric system is used (see table page 81).
The records for the stations at West Mead, South Ruislip, and Grange Park School, Hayes, for
the last five years are set out below. Both stations are in residential areas; that at Grange Park, however,
has been in a Smoke Control Area since 1960, but will be influenced, to some extent, by the greater
industrial background pollution at Hayes.
The January figures include pollution from domestic heating and the full range of industrial and
commercial services. Pollution arising from domestic heating is negligible in June, while industrial
processes (but not space heating) carry on as usual. The ratio between the June and January figure is,
therefore, a good guide to the amount of pollution from domestic sources; the greater the difference
between summer and winter pollution, the greater the extent of domestic pollution.
Grit, Dust and Effluvia
Deposits of grit and dust in the vicinity of the Coal Depot, West Drayton, and the Gasworks,
Uxbridge, have been monitored throughout the year.
During the year the gasworks ceased to produce gas by coal carbonisation, and the coke stocks in
the depot were removed.
Attempts to minimise dust emissions from the coal depot continued, but when a breakdown in the
dust suppression system has occurred, inconvenience is caused to the inhabitants in the immediate
vicinity of the depot. The steps so far taken, although reasonably effective under normal conditions,
are much less effective under dry and windy conditions. The National Coal Board have been requested
to deal with this nuisance more energetically.
The table on page 81 shows monthly averages of daily readings of smoke and sulphur dioxide.
Undue significance should not be attached to a comparison between the results for two adjoining years;
a more reliable picture can only be obtained by taking the trend over at least five years, and preferably
even longer than this.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
MILK
Milk and Dairies (General) Regulations 1959
The Milk (Special Designation) Regulations
The following premises are registered or licensed in the Borough:—
Registered Milk Distributors 131
Registered Dairies 2
Licences to use Special Designations:
(a) Pasteurised 85
(b) Sterilised 44
(c) Ultra-heat treated 14
(d) Untreated 16
Dealer's Licence (Pasteurised) 2
Milk is now one of the safest foods. All milk supplied in the Borough, with the exception of supplies
from three farms, is heat treated. Two of these farms are within the Borough, producing milk for the
special needs of members of the Jewish faith; in the third case the farmer sells direct to the public from
a farm outside the Borough.
Samples are submitted to ensure that milk has been correctly heat treated, particular attention
being paid to milk processed at the two pasteurising plants situated within the Borough.
In the case of raw milk supplies, biological tests are also carried out to determine whether or not
the organisms causing tuberculosis or brucellosis are present.