London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Heston and Isleworth 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
This page requires JavaScript
CLEAN AIR The Clean Air Act, 1956 became fully operative on 1st June.
During the year the Public Health Inspectors made 200 smoke observations and paid
many visits to premises in regard to which complaints of smoke nuisance has been
received.
The Council co-operates with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
by measuring atmospheric pollution in the Borough. Two sets of apparatus
are in use one on the roof of the Health Department in Bath Road, Hounslow, and the
other on the roof of Heath House, London Road, Isleworth.
The detailed monthly analyses are forwarded for record and study to the Central Department, but the main features are recorded below:-
| Health Department | Heath House | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (inches) | Deposit (tons per sq. mile) | Sulphur (Mgms. S03 per day per 100 sq. cm.) | Rainfall (inches) | Deposit (tons per sq. mile) | Sulphur (Mgms.Sog per day per 100 sq. cm.) | |
| January | 2.13 | 8.97 | 2.39 | 2.05 | 9.83 | 2.34 |
| February | 2.40 | 9.68 | 2.05 | 2.36 | 11.08 | 1.98 |
| March | 1.14 | 10.64 | 2.75 | 1.14 | 10.27 | 3.37 |
| April | 1.18 | 10.10 | 1.22 | 1.14 | 9.36 | 1.40 |
| May | 2.48 | 9.51 | 0.63 | 2.52 | 10.74 | 0.62 |
| June | 3.39 | 11.77 | 0.49 | 3.63 | 10.61 | 0.85 |
| July | 2.25 | 7.77 | 0.83 | 1.81 | 8.51 | 0.64 |
| August | 3.23 | 6.30 | 0.68 | 3.23 | 8.17 | 0.63 |
| September | 3.62 | 8.28 | 0.66 | 3.82 | 7.53 | 0.78 |
| October | 3.31 | 9.07 | 1.18 | 3.43 | 9.02 | 1.01 |
| November | 0.67 | 5.71 | 2.03 | 0.63 | 6.38 | 2.04 |
| December | 3.23 | 11.57 | 1.70 | 3.19 | 13.38 | 1.67 |
| Average | 2.42 | 9.11 | 1.38 | 2.41 | 9.57 | 1.44 |
| Average 1953-57 | 1.84 | 8.77 | 0.95 | 1.83 | 9.05 | 1.03 |
In November the Council made a Smoke Control Order for an area of 186 acres in
Isleworth, containing 1,628 dwellings, 7 industrial premises^ 19 commercial premises
and 10 churches, schools, etc. Confirmation of the Order is awaited.
In July the attention of the Minister of Health was drawn to a smoke nuisance
from the chimneys of West Middlesex Hospital.
TENTS, VANS AND CARAVANS, There are five sites in the Borough which have been
used as caravan sites for many years. Some are occupied wholly or in part by persons,
who use caravans for business in connection with a travelling circus, fair or stall.
During the year, the inspectors made 1,065 visits of inspection because of the occupation
of land by caravans.
Trespass by caravans on road verges and unfenced land continues especially, on
the western outskirts of the Borough The vagrant type who occupy these caravans
deposit domestic refuse, litter of all kinds, waste water and faecal matter in the
neighbourhood of the sites occupied. Much time and effort have been given in attempts
to clear them from their usual camping sites but only too often within 24 hours they
are back again,
Under the provisions of the Middlesex County Council Acts two applications for
permission to place a caravan on a site in the Borough for a further period of two
years were granted.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES. There is no common lodging house in the Borough.
CANAL BOATS. The Public Health Inspectors continued their duties as canal
boat inspectors, and made 38 inspections during the year.
16