The Deadly London Smog of 1952

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]In December 1952, [music] London was engulfed by a thick, yellowish smog that lasted for 5 days.

[00:00:07]The city's coal fires, combined with cold, windless weather, trapped pollutants near the ground. Visibility dropped to just a few meters, halting traffic [music] and even seeping indoors.

[00:00:18]Hospitals filled quickly as thousands suffered from respiratory issues. By the time the smog lifted, an estimated 4,000 [music] people had died, with later studies suggesting the toll may have been as high as 12,000.

[00:00:32]The disaster led to major [music] changes in environmental policy and inspired the Clean Air Act of 1956.