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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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smog
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Word coined from 'smoke' and 'fog' in the first decade of the 20C to describe atmospheric conditions in Britain's cities. It was widely used after more than 1000 'smoke-fog' deaths were caused in Edinburgh and Glasgow alone during the autumn of 1909. The choking density of smog was caused by sulphur from coal-burning chimneys combining with the water particles of a normal fog. The elimination of the problem began with the *Clean Air Act of 1956. The smog that now threatens large cities in hot weather is different in kind, being the result of car exhausts and complex photochemical reactions.
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