New Wellcome Witnesses publication: 'Air Pollution Research in Britain c.1955–c.2000'

A new volume of Wellcome Witnesses to Contemporary Medicine is freely available to download at the History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group website:

Air Pollution Research in Britain c.1955–c.2000


'… that whole shift in our understanding of how air pollution can have effects on systems beyond the respiratory system has led not only to studies of perinatal outcomes, but to cognitive defects, rheumatoid arthritis, appendicitis. Anything is possible.' Professor Ross Anderson

A Witness Seminar on the history of air pollution research in the UK, with discussion on investigations by the MRC Air Pollution Unit at Barts (1955–1978) into impacts on respiratory health, and more recent research into cardiovascular events and other long-term effects of particulate matter, such as lung cancer. Chaired by Professor Anthony Seaton (Aberdeen) with an introduction by Professor Jonathan Grigg (QMUL).

Jones E M, Overy C, and Tansey E M. (eds) (2016)
Wellcome Witnesses to Contemporary Medicine, vol. 58. London: Queen Mary University of London.

ISBN 978 1 91019 5147


'I just suddenly thought, ‘'That’s it! It’s air pollution that is changing fibrinogen. Fibrinogen makes the blood clot and blood clots cause heart attacks’'.' Professor Anthony Seaton