After the events of 1952, the seriousness of London’s air pollution became undeniable. Slow to act at first, the British government ultimately passed the Clean Air Act four years later, in 1956, as a direct response to the lethal fog.
What were the effects of London smog?
During its duration, there was an increase in hospitalizations relating to bronchitis and pneumonia, and even cattle from Smithfield, a district in central London, reportedly choked to death. The effects of the smog were long-lasting, however, and present-day experts now put the total death toll at 12,000.
Which was a result of the Great Smog of 1953?
Initial reports estimated that about 4,000 died prematurely in the immediate aftermath of the smog. The detrimental effects lingered, however, and death rates remained well above normal into the summer of 1953. Many experts now estimate the Great Smog claimed at least 8,000 lives, and perhaps as many as 12,000.
What law was passed as a result of the Great Smog of 1952?
Aftermath of the London fog of 1952
The 1952 London smog disaster is thought to have claimed as many as 12,000 lives. It was the catalyst for comprehensive air pollution controls in Britain. Following this tragedy the government passed the Clean Air Act of 1956.
How many died in the smog of 1952?
Heavy smog begins to hover over London, England, on December 4, 1952. It persists for five days, leading to the deaths of at least 4,000 people. It was a Thursday afternoon when a high-pressure air mass stalled over the Thames River Valley.
What are the main effects of smog?
Ozone can damage lung tissue, and it is especially dangerous to people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. Ozone can also cause itchy, burning eyes. Smog is unhealthy to humans and animals, and it can kill plants.
What are four effects of smog?
Types of effects smog has include: Eye, nose and throat irritation. Decreased lung function. Aggravation of respiratory or heart disease.
Who did the Great Smog affect?
Great Smog of London, lethal smog that covered the city of London for five days (December 5–9) in 1952, caused by a combination of industrial pollution and high-pressure weather conditions. This combination of smoke and fog brought the city to a near standstill and resulted in thousands of deaths.
How did the Great Smog affect the environment?
A fog so thick and polluted it left thousands dead wreaked havoc on London in 1952. The smoke-like pollution was so toxic it was even reported to have choked cows to death in the fields. It was so thick it brought road, air and rail transport to a virtual standstill.
What was the worst smog in history?
The 1948 Donora smog killed 20 people and caused respiratory problems for 6,000 of the 14,000 people living in Donora, Pennsylvania, a mill town on the Monongahela River 24 miles (39 km) southeast of Pittsburgh. The event is commemorated by the Donora Smog Museum.
What action was taken to clean up the air in London after the smog?
The Great Smog drove British lawmakers to pass the world’s first comprehensive national air pollution law in 1956. The Clean Air Act outlawed the emission of “smoke nuisances” or “dark smoke” and required new furnaces to emit little or no smoke.
Did the Queen really walk in the smog?
Yes, fact-checking The Crown confirms that the Great Smog was indeed a real event in 1952.
What is a negative effect of smog that affects the people of London England?
London’s Great Smog of 1952 resulted in thousands of premature deaths and even more people becoming ill. The five December days the smog lasted may have also resulted in thousands more cases of childhood and adult asthma.
How long did London fog last?
The Great Smog, which blanketed the British capital for five days in December 1952, is estimated by some experts to have killed more than 12,000 people and hospitalized 150,000.
When did London stop being foggy?
From the 18th century until 1962, a more menacing climatic occurrence than inclement weather came to define London winters.
Why did London burn coal?
But as the city grew and the forests shrank, wood became scarce and increasingly expensive. Large deposits of “sea-coal” off the northeast coast provided a cheap alternative. Soon, Londoners were burning the soft, bituminous coal to heat their homes and fuel their factories.
What are 2 main causes of smog?
The main causes of smog
Smog is formed by mixing air with pollutants and exhaust gases resulting from human activities. The factors which are responsible for this include factories, an increasing number of cars, burning coal, wood and other solid fuels in stoves.
How can we stop smog?
On Days when High Particle Levels are Expected, Take these Extra Steps to Reduce Pollution:
- Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.
- Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
- Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
How does smog affect the economy?
Air pollution can affect businesses through reduced workforce productivity, work absences, premature deaths and lower crop yields. The longer we take to clean our air, the greater the economic costs will be.
Is air pollution getting worse 2022?
7 September 2022 (WMO press release) – An anticipated rise in the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves and an associated increase in wildfires this century is likely to worsen air quality, harming human health and ecosystems.
Does smog rise or fall?
Air Buoyancy
Smoke rises. When pollutants are emitted from smokestacks, tailpipes etc., they are warmer than the surrounding air and tend to rise. The hotter the emissions, the faster they will float up into the atmosphere.