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NUCLEAR RADIATION
Reports are now received every month from the Metropolitan Water Board on
the control of the emission of waste material from nuclear research stations
into the River Thames or its tributaries. Pollution of the atmosphere, the use
of nuclear fission material in industry and in hospitals, and control of the
transport of radioactive material are still matters for which the Central Atomic
Authority maintains complete control, and although it is now in the legislation
that this authority can be notified of registrations of premises within the
Borough where the use of radioactive material is permitted, no information of
this kind has been received It would be very useful to have a monthly report,
similar to that of the Metropolitan Water Board, which is excellent, on findings
on the radioactive state of the upper air, and on the quantities of isotopes
and other radioactive material brought into the Borough, and also a notice
beforehand of all transport of such material through the Borough, since with
our great trunk roads from the West this must be considerable, with the increase
of nuclear power stations and the growing use of radioactive material in research,
in a great variety of industrial processes, in investigation of disease,
and also its treatment, and with the possibility of nuclear powered cars and
aeroplanes in the offing, sooner or later Medical Officers of Health must have
this information in order to carry out the statutory duty imposed by Act of
Parliament, to enquire into and become aware of any matter likely to affect the
health of the public.
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