View report page

Radio Activity in Stratford
In early May, the Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector was contacted by a firm of food
manufacturers which wished to carry out conversions to an empty factory and requested advice as
to requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations,
On visiting the factory the day before the meeting with the representatives of the firm,
it was noticed that a great deal of chemical waste and material was present; on enquiry it was
learned (a) that the walls and floors of certain parts of the factory were grossly contaminated
with arsenical salts, and (b) that certain parts of this particular factory and an adjoining
one had been used in the preparation of radio active material.
The Civil Defence Officer, Mr.Thompson, was contacted, and with his Assistant, Mr.Cullington,
brought Geiger Counters to ascertain whether the premises were indeed still radio active,
and if so to what extent. The very sensitive instruments showed radio activity at once, and
beyond their capacity to measure.
Correspondence was initiated with various Government Departments, and as a result RadioChemical
Inspectors of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government visited the premises,
obtained accurate readings, and gave advice as to disposal of liquid and solid wastes, and
for cleansing walls and floors and various areas of ground adjoining the buildings.
Clearing of radio active material continued over many months; all the material was
buried in accordance with the instructions of the Ministryfs Inspectorate, and in every case
the depth of covering given as being completely safe, was doubled.
The names of the former employees at the factory were obtained and forwarded to the
Inspector of Factories, but it was found that the men had received regular medical examinations
during the time they were working in close proximity to the material.
All personnel employed in demolition, clearing etc., in the factories wore special
indicators and were under close supervision.
The factory premises are now declared free of radio activity and are being altered
and redecorated etc., prior to letting as warehouses or factories.
CLEAN AIR ACT, 1956
Smoke Abatement
During the year the Public Health Inspectors made 408 visits concerning smoke emission
by industrial premises, and to give advice on the working of the installations.
It was noticeable during the year that major improvements were effected in several
large factories in the borough, several plants being converted to oil burning and others
renewing old boiler installations. Generally speaking more attention is being paid to the
types of fuel used, and it seems that the past efforts by this Department to impress on
managements the importance of correct fuels, efficient stoking and proper maintenance of
plant are now bearing fruit, advisory visits now far out numbering visits following complaint.
16