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vegetable matter and natural radiation Smoke followed man's discovery of the use of
fire and the more he huddled together the greater the pollution of the atmosphere
around him. This pollution grew enormously with the use of coal and the development
of industry and now other fuels and artificial radiation provide additional sources.
Pollution may be visible or hidden and while attention is still being given to gaseous
pollution the main drive is towards the elimination of particulate pollution, namely,
smoke The fact that the problem of gaseous pollution is still unsolved is no excuse
for failure to tackle the problem of smoke, grit, etc. There are still people who
belittle the part played by the domestic fire, but if the domestic fire is so innocent,
why are the records of solid deposit and sulphur dioxide almost twice as high in the
winter months as in the summer months. The public response to our efforts has been
good The burning of solid smokeless fuels requires a different technique and this
has to be learned The number of brands of solid smokeless fuels offered to the public
causes some confusion, and retailers should advise customers as to the type of grate
or stove for which each fuel is suitable
It is difficult adequately to convey in mere figures a picture of the vast
amount of detailed investigation called for in connection with this work, much of it
novel, so far as the Public Health Inspectors are concerned, involving financial as
well as technical considerations. It is gratifying to note that the creation of a
suitable system of records and the additional field work has been accomplished with
a minimum of disturbance to the routine work of the department.
The emission of black smoke from diesel engined vehicles arouses public outcry
at times. This smoke occurs only where the engine is not well maintained or where
excess fuel is used in an effort to obtain additional power. Under the Motor Vehicles
(Construction and use) Regulations, 1955 the use of vehicles 'emitting fumes which
could cause damage to property, or injury or danger to any person' is prohibited, but
in relation to a moving vehicle this is a difficult offence to prove in law. It is
hoped that legislation may be introduced to prohibit the misuse of the excess fuel
device It should be remembered that all oil and petrol driven vehicles contribute to
gaseous pollution even when used at maximum efficiency.
The Noise Abatement Act came into operation during the year. The provisions of
the Act are much the same as those already in operation in the Borough under the
Middlesex County Council Acts. Noise is a purely subjective sensation and individuals
vary markedly in their sensitivity. Much noise nuisance is caused by inconsiderate
behaviour noisy motor cycles, loud wireless sets, banging car doors, etc. Noise
which is not noticed under normal conditions may, by reason of time and circumstances,
become intolerable. Again the noise itself may not be the disturbing factor, but
merely something that triggers off another sensation e.g. fear of a crash when an
aeroplane passes overhead at a relatively low altitude. Man has a great capacity for
adaptation. Some people pass the day happily with the wireless on from morning till
night, and many children seem to be able to do homework against almost any background
of noise. There is no doubt, however, that noise generally is disturbing and all should
endeavour to reduce it to a minimum. The Act does not apply to noise or vibration caused
by aircraft and for noise occurring in association with a trade or business it is
still a defence to prove that the best practicable means have been taken for preventing
the noise The abatement of noise from plant and machinery is a difficult technical
Problem and only too often no solution is reasonably available.
The day to day work of maintaining and improving houses and of ensuring food
hygiene continued It is pleasing to note the increasing use of improvement grants to
Provide modern amenities in houses. The Public Health Inspectors can give only a limited
time to food hygiene and the general public should give support by ceasing to patronize
establishments where conditions are in any way below standard- The number of unrinsed
milk bottles left out for the milkman to collect raises doubts as to the standards of
food hygiene practised in many homes
The excavation of the burial ground at Holy Trinity Church and the re-internment
of the human remains in an approved burial ground were supervised by the Department
All concerned in this co-operated and no special difficulties arose
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