Clean Air Act 1956

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Citation
Territorial extent	United Kingdom
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The Clean Air Act 1956 was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in response to the severe air pollution problems that plagued British cities, particularly the infamous Great Smog of London in 1952. This Act aimed to control domestic sources of smoke pollution and marked a significant step in environmental protection and public health policy.

Background

The Great Smog of London in December 1952 was a severe air pollution event that resulted in thousands of deaths and highlighted the urgent need for government intervention in air quality management. The smog was primarily caused by the burning of coal, which released large amounts of smoke and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, creating a deadly fog.

Provisions of the Act

The Clean Air Act 1956 introduced several key measures to reduce air pollution:

• Smoke Control Areas: Local authorities were empowered to designate "smoke control areas" in which only smokeless fuels could be burned. This was intended to reduce the amount of smoke produced by domestic fires.

• Grants for Conversion: The Act provided financial assistance to households to convert their fireplaces to burn smokeless fuels, thereby encouraging compliance with the new regulations.

• Industrial Emissions: The Act also addressed emissions from industrial sources, requiring the use of taller chimneys to disperse pollutants over a wider area and reduce their concentration at ground level.

Impact and Legacy

The Clean Air Act 1956 was a pioneering piece of legislation that set the stage for future environmental laws. It significantly improved air quality in urban areas and raised public awareness about the health impacts of air pollution. The Act was followed by further legislation, including the Clean Air Act 1968 and the Clean Air Act 1993, which built upon and expanded its provisions.

Also see

• Great Smog of London
• Clean Air Act 1968
• Clean Air Act 1993
• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Air Pollution in the United Kingdom