1962 London smog

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Coordinates: 51°30′25″N 0°07′37″W / 51.507°N 0.127°W / 51.507; -0.127
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1962 London smog
Date4–7 December 1962 (1962-12-04 – 1962-12-07)
LocationLondon, England
Coordinates51°30′25″N 0°07′37″W / 51.507°N 0.127°W / 51.507; -0.127
Casualties
  • 300–700 deaths
  • unknown number of people affected by breathing difficulties, lung cancer and bronchitis

The 1962 London smog was a severe

1956 Clean Air Act
, which restricted the burning of domestic fuels in urban areas with the introduction of smokeless zones, fogs continued to be smoky in London for some years after the act as residents and operators were given time to convert from domestic fuels. The December 1962 smog is thought to have led to the deaths of up to 700 people.

Background

Serious

1956 Clean Air Act that restricted the burning of domestic fuels in urban areas with the introduction of "smokeless zones".[3][2] Despite the passing of the act, residents and operators were given time to convert from the burning of domestic fuels, and so smoky fogs continued to be a problem for some time, as they were in 1956, 1957 and 1959.[3][2]

Event

The thick, smoky fog enveloped London between 4 and 7 December 1962.

sulphur dioxide were about the same.[4]

The

Ministry of Health provided warnings to those individuals at most risk, such as sufferers of chest and heart complaints, and instructed them to "stay indoors and rest as much as possible".[3] Doctors were encouraged to prescribe masks for vulnerable patients or "do-it-yourself masks", such as thick cotton gauze or a scarf around the mouth and nose.[3] The public were also told to only use coke or other smokeless fuel, not burn rubbish or light bonfires and to keep windows closed.[3]

Driving conditions became extremely hazardous in the smog, with visibility reduced in some places to zero.[3] The level of smoke in London's atmosphere during the event was two and a half times higher than for an average winter day of that time, and the level of sulphur dioxide was seven times higher.[3]

Health effects

The smog had the effect of causing a continual metallic taste in the mouth and irritation of the nose and eyes.[4] Cases of bronchitis increased significantly during the smog episode, including in children.[4] It was estimated that in the City of London alone, the air pollution led to 133 excess deaths, with Greater London as a whole seeing an estimated 300–700 deaths in total.[4][2]

Aftermath

In total, the smog caused an estimated 20 million pounds in damages, including in health costs.

Smoke Control Areas (SCA) have led to a gradual reduction in smoke pollution emitted from domestic and industrial premises in modern times. Only permitted DEFRA-UK-AIR fuels may be used in chimneys using approved appliances. Failure to adhere to the legislation, will leave the user exposed to financial penalties and sanctions.[5]

See also

References

  1. ISSN 1520-0477
    .
  2. ^ a b c d Bourke, Joanna (30 August 2016). "History on film: London is smothered by a dangerous smog". HistoryExtra. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "BBC ON THIS DAY, 6, 1962: Choking fog spreads across Britain". BBC News. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. ^
    PMID 14054994
    . Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. ^ Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) webmaster@defra gsi gov uk. "Smoke Control Areas (SCA)- Defra, UK". uk-air.defra.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
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