London's Deadliest Week — What Killed 12,000 in 1952? скачать в хорошем качестве

London's Deadliest Week — What Killed 12,000 in 1952?

On Friday, 5 December 1952, London woke up to what seemed like ordinary fog. By the end of the day, people could no longer see their own feet. For five days, a toxic yellow-green smog hung over the city, claiming more than 12,000 lives. What happened? A combination of extremely cold weather, still air, and widespread coal burning created a deadly layer of pollution over London. The smog seeped into homes, theatres, and hospitals. Cars were abandoned in the streets. Ambulances were unable to locate patients. Livestock suffocated in their stalls. The aftermath The government initially denied the seriousness of the situation, but the evidence was overwhelming. In 1956, the Clean Air Act was passed Britain’s first major environmental law. London would never be the same again.