Major Air Pollution
Episodes
of Historic
Significance
¥Some of the worst events in the last two centuries occurred in London
–Key ingredients - calm winds, fog, smoke particles
from coal burning
–1873 - 700 deaths
–1911- 1150 deaths
–1952 - 12000 deaths
¥Last event led to the Parliament passing a Clean Air Act in 1956
¥Other notable events over western Europe
1930
- Meuse Valley–Key ingredients – calm winds, strong inversion close to ground, fog, smoke from factories
–Pollution trapped in lowest 70-80 m of a narrow valley
–600 very ill, 60 deaths