The history of air quality

People in Britain are mining coal and using it as a fuel for metal working and smelting. But after a while, they realised it was bad for their health. Oops!

Those talented Tudors are now heating their homes with coal, creating plenty of air pollution in the process.

Clever King Charles II knows dirty air is a big deal. He asks scientist John Evelyn to work out what coal fumes do to people – the first complete study on air pollution!

The Industrial Revolution and its magnificent coal-powered machines change the world. But all those factories and mills spew out thick, black soot.

Merseyside’s now a busy, smoky place. In fact, 40% of all the world’s trade passes through Liverpool’s docks. That’s almost half!

Stephenson’s Rocket wins the Rainhill Trials locomotive competition right here in Merseyside. Coal-burning steam trains are the next big thing – bad news for air quality!

Liverpool’s coal fires and industry are creating thick clouds of pollution. The air is so dirty, it even stains the outside of the Liver Building. Yuck!

A new law called the Clean Air Act is the first big attempt to deal with domestic air pollution. It introduces “smoke control areas” in some cities. A good start!

More and more and more cars are now on Britain’s roads. All those exhaust pipes are becoming a major cause of poor air quality!

We understand air quality more than ever. Young people like you are leading the way in making it cleaner and demanding change. You can help change the world!