The Great Smog of London was a catastrophic event that occurred in December 1952. It was a severe air pollution event that enveloped the city of London and caused widespread health hazards. The incident lasted for almost five days, and it is estimated that around 12,000 people died due to the after-effects of the smog.
What Caused the Great Smog of London?
The primary cause of the Great Smog of London was a combination of factors, including industrial pollution, vehicle exhaust, and unusually cold weather. The smog was so thick that visibility was reduced to less than a few meters, making it challenging to navigate around the city.
Industrial Pollution
London had been an industrial hub for centuries before the Great Smog incident. The factories and power plants were run on coal, which produced large amounts of smoke and soot.
The smokestacks from these industries released pollutants into the air continually. This led to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere over time.
Vehicle Exhaust
At the time of the Great Smog, there were over two million cars on London’s roads. These vehicles ran on petrol and diesel fuel, which produced exhaust fumes containing harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. The high number of vehicles combined with adverse weather conditions made matters worse.
Cold Weather
In December 1952, London experienced an unusual cold spell accompanied by foggy weather conditions. This caused an inversion layer where warm air above trapped cold air below it near ground level. As a result, pollutants from industrial emissions and vehicle exhausts got trapped close to ground level rather than dispersing into higher altitudes.
The Aftermath
The effects of the Great Smog were catastrophic; thousands died due to respiratory problems caused by exposure to toxic pollutants in the air. The incident led to a public outcry for better air quality and pollution control measures. It also resulted in the introduction of the Clean Air Act in 1956, which aimed to reduce air pollution and improve public health.
Conclusion
The Great Smog of London was a wake-up call for governments worldwide to address the issue of air pollution. It highlighted the importance of taking proactive measures to reduce industrial emissions and vehicle exhausts. Today, London has significantly improved its air quality, but there is still a long way to go before we can breathe clean air all around the world.