[Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, West Lancashire R.D.C.

  • West Lancashire (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, West Lancashire R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    44/48 (page 34)
    THE CLEAN AIR ACT, 1956 The preliminary work of inspecting and making records of industrial boilers and furnaces was carried on throughout the year and observa¬ tions of smoke emissions from industrial chimneys have been made from time to time. Where smoke emissions of a long duration have been observed the persons concerned have been informed so that they may take action to comply with the regulations when they become operative. The special measures and investigations made last year in relation to boilers used in soil sterilisation have now shown much success. All such boilers have now been adapted to burn smokeless fuel (e.g. coke) or have been fitted with a mechanical stoker which enables them to be operated with little or no smoke. The measures taken to procure a smokeless atmosphere in the vicinities of the market gardens is much appreciated by the residents, and many expressions of appreciation have been made especially in the northern parishes. The industrial establishments in the area include Brickworks, Cotton Mill, Silk Works, Cable Works, Water pumping Stations, Bedding Manufacturers, Epileptic Homes and Hospitals etc. They have instal¬ lations of varying nature to suit own particular requirements these in¬ clude shell boilers, water tube boilers, fire tube boilers and kilns, all of which present their own atmospheric pollution problems. Both Industry and the general public have shown a keen interest in Atmospheric Pollution, especially since the introduction of the Clean Air Act and the publicity it has been given in the National and Local Press. Such interest having been expressed in the manner and speed in which complaints of excessive smoke emissions are made, thus enabling investigations to be made promptly and expeditiously. THE PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949 The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 requires every Local Authority to take such steps as may be necessary to secure, as far as practicable, that their area is reasonably free from rats and mice. The importance of maintaining adequate rodent control appears to be gen¬ erally accepted by the public, who realise that a heavy rat and mouse infestation is a serious danger to their health. The total infestations during the year shows no appreciable reduction from previous years, but it should be realised that the public are more conscious of the pests, and readily avail themselves of the services provided by the Council. The principal sites affected are the banks of open ditches, and the rats are attracted to nearby premises for food which is often supplied by householders when throwing bread into the garden for birds. Infestations of a minor character have been found on new housing estates where the rats and mice have been disturbed and have entered houses during and after construction.