London air pollution throughout History

The idea of progress

The Great Fog of London - 1952

London is well known for its romantic fog which covered the city for decades. Sadly this fog turned into a poisonous cloud of smog as smoke pollution became worse. The fog covered the city for 90 days each year. It had a romantic quality in Victorian London but in the 1950's the fog was stronger than ever and smoke pollution was also stronger than ever. This created a horrible smog which literally choked thousands to death. In 1952 over 4,000 people died in one week. In one month 12,000 were dead. 2012 marked  the 60th anniversary of the worst winter to hit London.

The Great Fog of London - 1952

London - April 2014

It was once the center of the industrial revolution with chimney's belching smoke into the sky. But it seems time and technology haven't improved the air quality in parts of the UK. The chemicals are slowly and discreetly poisoning Londoners in particular, who can do little to curb the problem -  April 7th, 2014.

Smoggy London: Air pollution hits new high as UK govt ignores toxic issue