GG102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 28: Burping, Soot
Document Summary
Of course it is not only the upwind/downwind distinction that causes this difference: there are many other factors that influence health and mortality. But the upwind/distinction is often at the beginning of a historical development that later takes on a dynamic of its own. We begin with the simple fact that, in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere, the prevailing wind direction is from the west. Consequently, those wealthy enough to be able to choose their place of residence made sure they lived upwind (west) of the soot and malodorous gases belching from the smokestacks of early industry. Those who were too poor to make such a choice, though, had to live downwind (in the eastern parts of town) and suffer the consequences of pollution. Through the combination of these and other factors, the east end became synonymous with working class and immigrants, while the west end was seen as the favoured part of town.
