Examine the causes of pollution in London from the middle 18th century.
Ans. After the Industrial Revolution, a large number of
people began to migrate to London. But the factory or workshop owners did not accommodate the migrant workers. Individual landowners put up cheap and unhealthy tenements for the workers.
The condition of the slums was very unhealthy. Thus, Booth concluded that London needed the rebuilding of at least 400000 rooms to house its poorest citizens. Gradually, a large number of people began to recognise the need for housing for the poor.
The one-room houses occupied by the poor were a serious threat to public health as they were overcrowded, badly ventilated and lacked sanitation. Poor housing system could create fire hazards, which could engulf other areas in the fire disaster. There were the circumstances leading to the pollution in London from the middle of 18 th century.