EnviroHealth Podcast – Season 2, Episode 1: Dr. Gary Fuller on ‘The Evolution of Air Pollution’ – Part One

Host Dr. Joseph Levermore speaks with Dr. Gary Fuller, a clean air champion and expert in air pollution from Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group. They discuss the fascinating history of air pollution from the deadly London smog of 1952 to current challenges and research.

Topics Covered:

  • Dr. Fuller’s unconventional career path from physics to air pollution research
  • The Great London Smog of 1952 that claimed approximately 12,000 lives
  • Historical perspectives on air pollution through art (Monet, Turner) and measurements
  • Victorian London’s PM2.5 levels (~200 μg/m³) compared to today’s levels (~10-15 μg/m³)
  • How smoke was once viewed as a symbol of prosperity and health
  • The first air pollution measurement networks in the UK
  • The importance of preserving historical air pollution data and samples
Quotes:

“Even though we look back on these times and say they were very polluted, we have to think about now and the health impact of air pollution still today that persists… just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

Listen to the podcast here

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