Smog episodes during winter (December-February) are mainly caused by limited dilution of air pollution, under unfavourable meteorlogical conditions: little wind (from continental directions) and a temperature inversion.
What caused the smog in London?
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.
Why is smog worse in the winter?
Air pollution is worse in the winter because colder and drier air traps more pollution. Our habits during the winter months also contribute to increased pollution levels. Ensuring good ventilation and staying away from pollutants are effective ways to combat air pollution.
Which gas is responsible for London smog?
sulfur oxides
Sulfurous smog, which is also called “London smog,” results from a high concentration of sulfur oxides in the air and is caused by the use of sulfur-bearing fossil fuels, particularly coal.
When was London’s last smog?
The 1962 London smog was a severe smog episode that affected London, England in December 1962. It occurred ten years after the Great Smog of London, in which serious air pollution had killed as many as 12,000 people.
Why is smog only in winter?
Temperature inversion in winter
In winter, a confluence of natural phenomena exacerbates air pollution. Overcast weather, in particular, tends to trap the pollution beneath the cloud. In this kind of temperature inversion, the warm air acts as a lid, covering air pollutants.
Why is Delhi polluted in winter?
The dense winter air traps all sorts of pollutants in it. Smoke and fog come together to form smog. This smog is hazardous in many ways, not only does it hamper the visibility of drivers but it is also hazardous to inhale. Delhi is landlocked and the air doesn’t have anywhere to go.
How does temperature affect smog formation?
High temps worsen the air quality problems. During a heat wave, air is often stagnant, so polluted air is not dispersed. Sunlight and high temps also encourage chemical reactions in pollutants and increase smog.
Is London smog oxidising or reducing?
Photochemical smog is oxidising in nature. And London smog is reducing in nature. Thus, the statement ‘London smog is oxidising in nature’ is false.
Why is it called London fog?
As the warm milk hit the black Earl Grey tea it created a cloudy plume, turning the colour of the fog-laden London afternoon and thus the name was born.
Why is London smog called reducing smog?
This smog is formed by the mixture of smoke, fog, and sulfur dioxide. This smog also acts as a reducing agent in atmospheric pollution. Therefore, it is also known as reducing smog.
Is smog still a problem in London?
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.
Does London still have smog?
The sheer size of London, combined with a dense road network and tall buildings, means central London is one of the most polluted places in the UK, according to the London Air Quality Network. Pollution builds up when it becomes trapped between buildings especially during still weather.
How many died in London smog?
Impacts of the smog
About 4,000 people were known to have died as a result of the fog, but it could be many more.
Why is smog worse in the summer?
Some pollution, such as ground-level ozone, is made more efficiently in sunny, hot weather. The reactions that create harmful ozone in our atmosphere require sunlight. In the summers and especially during extreme heat waves, ozone often reaches dangerous levels in cities or nearby rural areas.
Why is there smoke in winter?
Reason : In winter, the air in our atmosphere is very cool as compared to the air coming out from our mouth. Water vapour present in the air coming out from our mouth gets cooled suddenly to form very tiny droplets. These tiny droplets concentrated in a limited area, appear like smoke or a small cloud near our mouth.
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.
Why is Delhi hotter in summer and colder in winter?
The capital experiences an extreme continental climate due to the fact that it is far away from the sea. It is one of the few cities in India where extreme heat as well as well as cold takes lives year after year.
Why Delhi is the most polluted city in the world?
In the latest report on the air quality and health in cities around the world, Delhi and Kolkata are ranked highest in pollution due to fine particulate matter, a significant air pollutant. India’s financial capital Mumbai takes the 14th position on this list.
Why is the air quality so poor in India?
More than 90% of India’s population lives in areas where air quality is below World Health Organization standards, with coal-fired power plants, factories and vehicles among the major sources of pollution.
How does weather affect smog?
The more windy the area is, the less probable is the formation of smog. The wind can spread the pollutants, lowering their concentration in a particular space. However, that doesn’t mean that they disappear. High temperature with high sun exposure can fuel photochemical reactions.