9 December 1952.
On 9 December 1952 the Great Smog officially ended – for five days a thick layer of air pollution, mostly caused by coal fires, had covered London and caused the deaths of thousands of residents.
What happened to the air quality in London in 1952?
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.
What caused the smog in London 1952?
On December 5, 1952, fog descended upon the city of London. This was not unusual, as it was winter, and the capital was known for its misty weather. However, the fog later turned into smog as a result of mixing with smoke from coal-burning factories and chimneys, and diesel-fueled automobiles and buses.
What affected the air quality of London from the 17th century?
Even before factories and cars began to pump pollutants into the city’s atmosphere, Londoners have been no strangers to noxious air. 17th century writers complained of the foul smoke emitted by burning sea coal, and backed-up chimneys suffocated people in their beds every year for centuries.
When did London ban coal burning?
1956
Great Smog of London
… British government ultimately passed the Clean Air Act four years later, in 1956, as a direct response to the lethal fog. The act established smoke-free areas throughout the city and restricted the burning of coal in domestic fires as well as in industrial furnaces.
How long did the fog of 1952 last?
five days
For five days in December 1952, the Great Smog of London smothered the city, wreaking havoc and killing thousands.
When was the last big smog in London?
December 1952
The Great Smog of London, or Great Smog of 1952, was a severe air pollution event that affected London, England, in December 1952.
Great Smog of London.
| Date | 5–9 December 1952 |
| Location | London, England |
| Coordinates | 51.507°N 0.127°W |
| Casualties | |
|---|---|
| 4,000 killed · 100,000 injured (1952 government estimate) 10,000–12,000 killed (modern estimates) |
How many people died in 1952 fog?
4,000 people
About 4,000 people were known to have died as a result of the fog, but it could be many more. Press reports claimed cattle at Smithfield had been asphyxiated by the smog.
What caused the death of 4000 people in 4 days in London in 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 happened in 1952 in the UK?
On 6 February 1952, Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, following the death of her father, King George VI. Technology, entertainment, lifestyle and many other parts of life have been totally transformed since then.
Why did London always suffer from poor air quality?
The dominant contributor to London’s historic air pollution was coal burning. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the coal industry in Great Britain expanded rapidly; driven not only by economic growth, but also by an expanding labour force and improved distribution networks (such as railways and waterways).
Why did Victorian London suffer from smoke?
Those located downwind from a coal intensive district suffered from their neighbour’s pollution. And communities in valleys surrounded by hills suffered more deaths as their own smoke emissions became trapped and concentrated. Coal combustion also affected the health of those that survived.
When did the air pollution start in the UK?
Accounts of air pollution in the UK date back to the 13th century. Early occurrences resulted from rapid population growth, urbanisation and changes in fuel use – in particular the medieval switch from wood to coal, especially in brick kilns and domestic fireplaces.
When did UK switch from coal to gas?
In the early 1960s, the predominant fuel source for heat slowly shifted from coal and oil to ‘town gas’ (which was produced from either coal or oil) and electric boilers, so that by 1966 gas and electric boilers combined outnumbered all other domestic heat sources.
When did the UK stop using coal gas?
Further restructuring took place under the Gas Act 1972. For further details see British Gas plc. Apart from in the steel industry’s coke ovens’ by-products plants, coal gas is no longer made in the UK. It was replaced first by gas made from oil and later by natural gas from the North Sea.
When did UK stop using coal?
October 2024
The UK government has committed to ending the use of coal power in Great Britain by October 2024, a year earlier than originally planned.
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.
Can Great smog happen again?
After the great smog of 1952 another event did happen around ten years later in 1962, but it wasn’t as bad as the 1952 event. And after this event coal fires were totally banned from London and more precautionary measures were taken so this would never happen again.
Does London still have smog?
5. While the city has come a long way since the infamous, ‘pea-soup’ Great Smog of 1952, and air pollution has become less visible in the capital, it still presents severe health and economic risks to the city. The main pollutants of concern in London are fine particulate matter (PM2.
Who was responsible for the Great Smog of London?
London’s reliance on coal-fired power plants for electricity and heat, and diesel-powered buses for public transportation, contributed to the Great Smog. London’s weather also contributed to the Great Smog. The city is contained in a large river valley, limiting air circulation.
Was there a bad fog in London in 1952?
Few Americans may be aware of it, but in 1952 a killer fog that contained pollutants covered London for five days, causing breathing problems and killing thousands of residents.