The Reason Why 250 Tons Of Limes Have Been Thrown Into The River In London

The Great Stink was an event in central London in July and August 1858 during which the hot weather exacerbated the smell of untreated human waste and industrial effluent that was present on the banks of the River Thames.

The smell from the river was so bad that in 1857 the government poured chalk lime, chloride of lime and carbolic acid into the waterway to ease the stench. 250 tons of limes were used to mask the odor.