The Great Smog of 1952 A Dark Chapter in London’s History

**The Great Smog of 1952: A Dark Chapter in London’s History** In December 1952, London was engulfed in one of the most severe environmental disasters of the 20th century. The Great Smog, also known as the Big Smoke, descended upon the city and held it in a suffocating grip for five days. This unprecedented event brought life to a near standstill, revealing the dark side of industrial progress and prompting a reevaluation of public health and environmental policies. The conditions for the Great Smog were set by a combination of cold weather, windless conditions, and an anticyclone. As Londoners burned large amounts of coal to keep warm, the smoke mixed with emissions from factories and vehicles, creating a dense fog. This toxic mixture, rich in sulfur dioxide and particulates, settled over the city from December 5th to December 9th, reducing visibility to just a few meters and turning day into night. The immediate impact of the smog was devastating. Transportation came to a halt as ro