The 1952 Smog of Death: London’s Killer Haze
In this episode of Catastrophe Chronicles, we dive into one of the most deadly and overlooked environmental disasters in history: the Great London Smog of 1952. Lasting for five days, this thick, poisonous fog claimed thousands of lives and overwhelmed London’s hospitals. But for days, the government and media barely acknowledged the crisis—while the city choked.
Join Katie and Arin as they unravel the harrowing aftermath of the fog, from morgues piled with bodies to hospitals stretched beyond capacity. Discover how public health officials tried to make sense of the mysterious "fog deaths," and why the government was slow to take action. As we explore the causes of the fog, we also look at the shocking political response, with figures like Harold Macmillan downplaying the role of pollution and deflecting responsibility.
We’ll also delve into the long-term effects of the smog, from the scientific studies sparked by the tragedy to the eventual passage of the Clean Air Acts. And of course, we’ll bring some humor to this dark chapter in history, examining the government’s ridiculous mask campaigns and their failure to stop future smog disasters.
If you’re fascinated by environmental disasters, political apathy, and the true cost of pollution, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in and listen to how one fog changed London—and the world’s approach to air quality—forever.
Listen now to uncover the chilling details of this deadly disaster, its aftermath, and the legacy of change it sparked.
Articles
https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/the-great-smog-of-1952/
https://www.metlink.org/resource/case-study-the-great-smog/
Books
Death in the Air: Kate Winkler Dawson
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Air-Serial-Killer-Strangling/dp/0316506869
Documentaries
The Great Killer Smog - BBC 2022
