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The Great Smog of London, or Great Smog of 1952, was a severe air pollution event that affected London, England, in December 1952. A period of unusually cold weather, combined with an anticyclone and windless conditions, collected airborne pollutants—mostly arising from the use of coal —to form a thick layer of smog over the city.
The Great Smog of London was a lethal smog that covered the city of London for five days (December 5–9) in 1952. It was caused by a combination of industrial pollution and high-pressure weather conditions.
Dec 6, 2012 · Learn how a deadly fog of coal smoke and sulfur particles blanketed London for five days in December 1952, killing thousands and paralyzing the city. Find out how the Clean Air Act of 1956 reduced the smog and improved public health.
Dec 5, 2022 · Learn how a deadly fog of coal smoke and sulfuric acid killed thousands of people and sparked environmental reforms in London in December 1952. Explore the history, science and impact of the Great Smog of London and its aftermath.
Nov 14, 2023 · Seventy years ago, thick polluted smog descended on London bringing the city to a standstill and leading to the deaths of an estimated 4,000 people.Click her...
- 4 min
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- BBC World Service
Learn how a combination of cold weather, coal smoke and inversion created a deadly fog that killed thousands of Londoners in December 1952. Find out how the smog formed, its impacts and the response of the government to prevent future smogs.
On December 5, 1952, people in London, England, began to suffer respiratory illnesses after breathing thick smog. This deadly weather event, the Great Smog , would last almost a week and cost between 4,000-10,000 lives.
