Which city was affected by ' The Great Smog' in 1952?

London was hard hit in 1952, by what was termed as The Great Smog. It occurred for five days, from December 5 to December 9. The effect was death of more than 4000 people whereas about 100,000 people reported sick. This severe air-pollution event was result of a period of intensly cold weather, no wind conditions, and an anticyclone. As a result, airborne pollutants got trapped and couldn't rise above in the atmosphere. These pollutants were chiefly produced by the use of coal, both domestically and industrially.

The smog reduced the visibility severely and affected the people indoors also. The life of London came to a stand still. Even ambulances were not able to operate. Street lights were not able to penetrate the layer of smog. The government responded to this situation. Several acts were enacted and public awareness programmes were conducted.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

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42 Comments

Denise Garrett

Remember it well, got sent home early from work as couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, lots of buses stopped as unable to see where they were going.

Hilary Sykes

I know this one - I was in it!! Really bad. I was 13 and can remember coming home from school in it and had to feel my way along by touching the hedges and walls, you couldn't see the houses or kerbs.

Kenney Devey

I watched a TV series by Netflix called "The Crown" about the rein of Queen Elizabeth 11. One series was about this smog. The U.K. Weather department seen this concerning weather approaching and sent an official notice to the PM Churchill. The document was read and then hidden by one of his assistances. He was a Labour supporter.and the next election was due. Churchill never knew of it. This guy passed it on to a news paper guy who payed him for government info. When the smog came after a few days the people were condemning him. The Queen called him to a personal discussion about it and showed her concern and commented to him he should think about retiring and passing the PM possition to another Tory minister like Eden. He did hand his notice in after one of his personal lady house assistants that he had for many years was run over by a bus when she went out to get something for him. She died and he was defer stated. He made many new laws after this fog/smog.

Char

Laura Wright, exactly what I'm thinking and it could be a lot worse in time..

Char

Ma Bales, foggy is water droplets but smog is pollutions to the Max..

earlepg

ninakamwene, Right on with the comment though. ;)

Ma Bales

I heard that London was foggy !

Sheila Robinson

The photo is misleading.

Lynne Zeman

Never heard of this. Good info

Eileen Dunn

Remember it well,especially as my father had damaged lungs already.

Cottec

Thought it was a trick question. Misleading photo.

Bill Morris

It happened in 1962 (Nov.) As well...... I was there.

Denise Currie

A real Pea Souper.

Corey Taylor

Keith Parker, Denise Garrett, I'm happy that you both survived!

Patricia Fordham

I was in London then, Nursing, my ward at the time only had nine beds, just imagine what it was like in the 'Nightingale' wards of twenty beds!! One had to discard 'nondisposable' masks every half hour they were so filthy!!