The last week has been filled with alerts about the smog heading for London, with Khan issuing the highest threat level in his new toxicity system (thrilling as that is, we won’t bore you with it here). The problem, they say, is due to unusual weather: icy temperatures and lack of winds have caused smog to settle. I would argue that the problem is due to pollution, but what do I know.
Smog isn’t something unfamiliar to us, nor to London. In the good old industrial age, London used to experience what were termed ‘pea-soupers’. Fog so thick it was like walking through petit pois potage. Similar conditions to those happening this week occurred back in 1952, leading to the ‘Great Smog’. Reports following this five day disaster estimated 4000 people died as a direct result, with recent research stating it was far worse at a whopping 12,000 fatalities.
So how on earth does fog kill, outside John Carpenter films? Well turns out scientists believe the sulphur dioxide released by coal burning formed sulphuric acid particles. People were pretty much breathing in acid rain. If that hasn’t got you sitting up and worried, not much will.
If this was a problem in the 50’s, why does it still happen today and how bad could it get? Thankfully we’re not pumping out anything like the pollutants in the unregulated industrial age, so aren’t facing mass death. However, diesel cars, humans, high traffic and industrial plants still produce plenty of pollution and smog. Khan is introducing T-charge fees for high-emission vehicles that drive in London, but who knows if it’ll be enough.
The worst case scenario is clearly demonstrated in China. We’ve all seen the pictures of skyscrapers barely making it out the smog in Beijing and Shanghai. People often have to stay indoors for days on end to avoid sickness. Many now permanently wear medical masks outside to avoid breathing the godawful stuff in.
Obviously London isn’t that bad, but both cities are stopping school children from playing outside during high toxicity levels. Sending your children to a city school shouldn’t have to come with such a hazard warning. China will begin phasing out 300,00 high-polluting vehicles to combat their problem: far more proactive than a £10 fine.
One of the biggest causes of pollution are those diesel cars. Difficulty with that is back in 2001, taxes were lowered for the supposedly ‘less harmful’ diesel cars, encouraging people to buy them. The same owners are now being punished for the government’s incorrect assumptions and it’s frankly unfair. We expect our cars to last and those that can’t afford to change them likely also can’t afford the increased taxes. If the government wants to decrease smog, measures to help diesel owners switch would be a good place to start.
London hasn’t reached Beijing standards, but it could take some tips from them on dealing with smog. Wearing masks to protect lungs isn’t a bad idea and as they’re cheap, how about giving them out upon exiting a station? Until we get this problem sorted (and it won’t go away on its own), it would be nice if the Mayor could give with the hand that isn’t busy taking more taxes.
The post London vs. Beijing: Smog appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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