London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hillingdon 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]

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OTHER SERVICES

DEPARTMENTAL LABORATORY

During the year, the facilities of the laboratory were extended to include chromatograph determinations to identify colouring matter in food and flammability tests on fabrics. Tests in connection with food have been detailed elsewhere and the following is a summary of the remainder of the examinations carried out:

Type of ExaminationTotal number of tests
Agar sausage incubation and assessment (check on surface cleanliness of food premises and equipment)217
Atmospheric pollution: (a) sulphur dioxide determinations2,458
(b) measurement of smoke concentrations2,458
Celluloid in toys3
Chromatography40
Flammability tests on fabrics4
Foreign matter in food identification35
Insect identification70
Kerosene determinations4
Mould identification21
Water examinations: Permanganate value test75
Nitrite test20
Nitrate test14
Chloride test20
Dissolved solids2
Suspended solids2

RIVER POLLUTION
Owing to the shortage of staff it has been necessary to restrict the work in this field in the
main to the investigation of complaints although it has been possible to continue the checks
being carried out to control oil pollution from the Uxbridge Industrial Estate. The improvement
reported confirms it has been maintained.
A total of 335 inspections were made in connection with pollution of rivers, ponds and water
courses, but regular checking of all the sewer outfalls into the waterways in the Borough was
impossible.
It was, however, essential to locate and rectify specific causes of pollution details of some
of these are:
(a) While a member of staff was addressing a meeting of the Natural History Society a
reference was made to difficulties which were being experienced through oil pollution
affecting the stream flowing through the sanctuary at Harefield. This was traced to an
oil depot. This pollution was found to be due to insufficient maintenance of the oil
interceptors. The oil interceptor traps are now regularly maintained and cleansed and
it is hoped the nuisance will not recur.
(b) Following oil pollution into the canal feeder in the South Ruislip area a survey was
made of an industrial estate in that vicinity, and it was necessary to request 8 firms to
improve their oil storage and handling techniques and work is in progress.
(c) A discharge of soapy water into a ditch was traced to a factory at Ruislip. A scheme has
been submitted by the occupiers showing a proposed revised drainage layout which
when completed will eliminate this problem and the existing cesspool.
(d) From a garage at Northwood oil was found to be polluting allotments. A notice requiring
cleansing of the petrol interceptor and the provision of bund walling to the oil storage
area was served on the occupier of the garage. The work requested was carried out but
not to an acceptable standard, and it has been necessary to ask for the work to be
improved.
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