THE GREAT SMOG OF 1952

HISTORICAL AND CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Presentation Highlights
The problem of Air Pollution
Notoriety of the Great Smog of 1952
Vulnerable Groups
Risk Analysis
Strategies of Risk Analysis during the great smog event
Parallels with the Jamaican environment
Questions

The Problem of Air Pollution

Three million people die each year from the effects of air pollution alone!!
(WHO)

What is Air Pollution?

The presence or introduction of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects
Example: diesel exhaust, nitrogen oxide

What is smog?
Mixture of fog and air contaminants
A yellowish haze caused by a mixture of atmospheric pollutants and it consists mainly of
fine particles and ozone.

Major factors contributing to smog formation

Main sources of these pollutants are industrial processes usually involving burning and
heating.

Contribution to Global Warming

Traps greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Depletes ozone layer

Notoriety of the Great Smog of

1952

History of smog in London

London has long been famous for its filthy air
Grey skies not always due to fog but to smog
Several smog disasters between the late nineteenth to mid twentieth century

The Great smog of 1952

the climax of a long and dirty history.
the bleakest day in European history
described as worse than the 1866 cholera outbreak.
visibility dropped below 500 meters continuously for 114 hours; 50
meters for 48 hours.
visibility remained below 10 for almost 48 hours at Heathrow Airport

Morbidity and Mortality rates

death toll approximately 10,000
worst case of mortality and morbidity due to smog

Vulnerable Groups
The Elderly
Persons with Respiratory Problems

Risk Analysis

Risk analysis involves:

Risk Assessment which is a four step process including:

Hazard identification
Exposure assessment
Dose response assessment
Risk characterization

Risk Management
The process of weighing policy alternatives and selecting the most appropriate
regulatory action based on the results of risk assessment, social and political
concerns

Risk Communication
The process of making risk management and risk assessment comprehensible
to all relevant stakeholders and the general public

The importance of risk analysis

To identify, characterize, minimize or eliminate hazards that threaten the quality
of life

Strategies of Risk Analysis during the great

smog event
(Risk Assessment)

Strategies employed:
Hazard Identification
The ubiquitous burning of coal identified as a major risk factor
The smoke resulting from excessive burning of coal identified as a
major health hazard
Recognition that excessive smog caused by air pollution with smoke
caused respiratory problems which increased mortality rates.

Problems with the strategies of risk assessment

Timing (information was slow in coming)

Lack of scientific evidence to validate claims
No proper exposure assessment.
Lack of scientific studies to properly conduct dose response
assessment.

Strategies of Risk Analysis during the great smog event

(Risk Management)

Strategies employed
Calls from various groups to deal with the hazard
Committees set up to address the risk
Possible policies to deal with the hazard discussed

Problems with the strategies

Ineffective committees
Lack of political will to fix the problem

Strategies of Risk Analysis during the great smog event

(Risk Communication)

Strategies employed
Communication of the extent of the hazard by various groups to government:
Example: discussions in parliament

Commissioning of an inquiry to research and communicate the health and

financial implications of the hazard
Passing of legislative acts to:
Increase awareness of the risk and risk factors
Curtail the problem of air pollution
The 1956 Clean Air Act - mandating establishment of smokeless zones
and domestic use of heaters fueled by gas, oil, smokeless coal or electricity
instead of traditional fires.
The 1968 Act - mandating the use of tall chimneys for industries burning
coal liquid or gaseous fuels.

Parallels with the Jamaican

Environment

Pollution in Jamaica
Pollution index of 78.02 on a scale of 0 137
Air pollution considered high

Agencies and Organizations

Ministry of Health
Regulatory body that governs health issues including pollution

National Environment and Planning Agency

Major agency that grants approval for development projects
Strict set of conditions that must be adhered to
Periodic and random site visits to ensure compliance

Thank You!!