How the Great London Smog of 1952 killed thousands - Witness History, BBC World Service

Summary

In December 1952, London was engulfed by a devastating, thick smog, a deadly mix of fog and industrial pollution that lasted for four days. Thousands of people, especially those with respiratory and cardiovascular issues, succumbed to the toxic air, with over 4,000 estimated deaths. The city’s death rate soared as the pollution combined with cold temperatures, making the situation worse. In response, the government set up an Air Pollution Research Unit and passed the Clean Air Act in 1956 to reduce smoky fuels, leading to the introduction of smokeless alternatives like natural gas and oil.

Takeaways

• 😀 A thick, polluted fog covered London starting on 5 December 1952, lasting for four days and causing a deadly crisis.
• 😷 The fog, a mixture of smoke and fog, created a choking, yellow mass that led to thousands of deaths.
• 🌫️ The smog is described as one of the greatest mass murderers of modern times, leading to severe health consequences.
• 💔 Witnessing people struggling to breathe due to the polluted air was described as a harrowing experience.
• 🕯️ The dense fog caused people to lose their sense of direction, with one person recounting an experience of being disoriented after crossing a wide road.
• ❄️ The fog worsened due to cold weather and ice, forcing Londoners to burn coal in their homes, which further polluted the air.
• 😷 Special filtering bunny masks were created as a response to the smog, which had become a public health hazard.
• 🚑 The smog led to severe respiratory issues, especially for those with pre-existing conditions like bronchitis and asthma.
• ⚰️ The pollution caused an alarming rise in death rates, with estimates of 4,000 excess deaths during the crisis and a shortage of coffins.
• 🏥 In response to the crisis, the government set up an Air Pollution Research Unit at Bart's Hospital in 1955 to study the impact of pollution.
• 📜 The government passed the Clean Air Act in 1956 to reduce the use of smoky fuels, helping to mitigate the impact of future smog events.

Q & A

What caused the Great Smog of London in December 1952?

The Great Smog of London was caused by a combination of fog and industrial pollution, which mixed with smoke to create a dark, yellow, and choking mass over the city.

How long did the Great Smog last?

The Great Smog lasted for four days, from 5 December to 9 December 1952.

What were some of the health effects of the smog on Londoners?

The smog caused widespread respiratory problems, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions like asthma and cardiovascular disease. Thousands died, and around 100,000 people were made ill.

Why was the smog so dangerous for people with respiratory conditions?

The smog was highly polluted and full of toxic chemicals. For people with respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis, the air was even harder to breathe, leading to serious health complications.

What was the experience of Londoners trying to navigate through the smog?

Londoners struggled to see anything around them, with some unable to see their feet or even find their way across wide roads. One person recalls spending 10 minutes crossing a road only to end up back where they started.

How did the extreme cold worsen the situation during the smog?

The cold weather led Londoners to burn more coal to stay warm, which released even more smoke into the air, making the pollution worse and causing it to settle lower in the streets.

How did the pollution affect the city’s death rate?

The pollution led to a dramatic increase in the city's death rate, with estimates of 4,000 excess deaths due to the smog, and a shortage of coffins as a result.

What actions did the British government take in response to the smog?

In 1955, the government set up an Air Pollution Research Unit at Bart’s Hospital to study pollution, and in 1956, they passed the Clean Air Act, which aimed to reduce the use of smoky fuels like coal.

What was the purpose of the Clean Air Act of 1956?

The Clean Air Act of 1956 was introduced to reduce pollution by discouraging the use of smoky fuels like coal and encouraging the use of cleaner alternatives like natural gas and oil.

What role did smokeless fuels play in improving air quality after the smog?

The availability of smokeless fuels, like natural gas and oil, helped reduce the amount of smoke and pollution in the air, preventing future smogs similar to the one in 1952.