[Report 1962] / Medical Officer of Health, Buckfastleigh U.D.C.

  • Buckfastleigh (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1962
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1962] / Medical Officer of Health, Buckfastleigh U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/24 (page 12)
    SECTION G, GENERAL HEALTH IN THE AREA 1. Smoking and Health During March, much national publicity was given to the report made by the Royal College of Physicians on Smoking and Health. In this report it was emphsised that several diseases, in particular lung cancer, effects smokers more often than non-smokers. Cigarette smokers have the greatest risk of dying from lung cancer and the risk is greater for the heavier smoker. In the past annual health reports I have invariably made reference to the association betwen lung cancer and cigarette smoking and consequently I hoped that local inhabitants of this district were aware of much of the information presented report. I think it is extremely important that parents ensure that their children made aware of the hazards of smoking before they have time to acquire the habit, 2. Fluoridation of Water In Septffiuber I made a report on the fluoridation of water. It is a simple^ inexpensive way of reducing the incidence of dental decay and it would obviously be of i considerable benefit to this community if the fluoride concentration in drinking water was brought up to a level of 1 p.p.m. Approval under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act can now be given to proposals from local health authorities for arrangements made with water undertakings for the addition of fluoride to water supplies which are deficient in it naturally. It . is hoped that, in the very near future, the deficiency of fluoride in this local water supply will be remedied. 3. The Use of Toxic Chemicals in Agriculture. The great increase in the use of chemicals to control pests of crops and animals over recent years has often led to concern about the possible harmful effects that might follow their use. In aiming to maintain the health of the commimity one must naturally be concerned about the risks involved by persons who have to handle or apply poisonous chemicals and the possible harmful effects that residual pesticides in food may have on the^ consumers of this food. ic At the present time ha.zards to users are minimal if the regulations laid down or the recommendations made are properly observed. There would appear to be no evidence of harm to consiamers of crops or food treated with pesticides. Official recommendations for the safe use of pesticides are so framed that any residu® in food should be far below any I dose liable to harm the consumer. On the other hand, there is some risk to the general public if containers of ^ pesticides are not properly cleaned after use and are carelessly thrown away. Passers I by who investigate them are at risk from the dregs of the chemical in the container. | It is important that there should be a safe disposal of such containers. It would also seem desirable to discover safer chemicals to replace the more toxic ones in the future. % % the in the are !