Introduction & Context

• Josh and Chuck hosting "Stuff You Should Know" short episode
• Jerry filling in for Dave
• Discussion of London's historical air quality issues
• Smog complaints recorded back to 13th century
• London coined the term "smog" originally

The Great Smog Event - December 5-9, 1952

• Started December 5th, 1952 as normal fog
• Fog combined with smoke from multiple sources:
  • Factories pumping smoke
  • Residential chimneys (December heating season)
  • Cars and recent switch from electric trams to diesel buses
• High pressure system (anticyclone) 30 miles wide settled over London
  • Trapped emissions at surface level
  • Prevented air circulation for 5 days
  • System finally moved out to sea December 9th

Transportation & Infrastructure Impact

• Car abandonment on streets - too dangerous to drive
• All Thames shipping transportation stopped
• Bus service severely limited
  • Police officers ("Bobbies") walked in front with flashlights as guides
  • Even this proved too dangerous
• Underground subway only viable transportation (located underground, away from smog)

Indoor & Visibility Effects

• Movie theaters couldn't show films - screens invisible through smog
• People couldn't see their own feet when standing
• Smog penetrated indoor spaces
• Reports of people accidentally walking into Thames and drowning
  • Couldn't see river through smog
  • Couldn't find way out once in water

Health & Safety Consequences

• Entire herd of cattle in nearby Smithfield died from choking
• Increased crime (purse snatching, robberies) due to poor visibility
• Death toll estimates:
  • Original estimate: 4,000 deaths
  • Current estimates: 12,000 deaths
  • Deaths directly attributable to smog over 5-day period
  • Affected people with breathing issues, asthma, COPD

Government Response & Clean Air Act

• British government forced to act due to severity
• Clean Air Act passed in 1956 (4 years later)
  • Unusual for 1950s environmental policy (typically 1970s era)
  • Direct response to Great Smog disaster
• Additional crisis in 1962 led to strengthened Clean Air Act
• Government incentives and restrictions implemented:
  • Industry regulations
  • Promoted electricity, natural gas, oil over coal burning
• Success: No Great Smog events since 1962

Comparison to Other Cities

• Los Angeles smog problems in 1950s-1970s
• LA conditions improved significantly over time
• London air quality dramatically improved post-Clean Air Act