Major U.S. Air Pollution Episodes
of Historic Significance
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U.S. air quality degraded
with the beginning of the
industrial revolution
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Coal burning in Central
and Midwest U.S
.
–
1939 St. Louis Smog
Nov 28
–
1948 Donora
, PA in the
Monongahela River Valley
–
20 died, 1000Õs ill in 5 days
Oct 27
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Prompted Air Pollution
Control Act of 1955
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Ignored automobiles
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1960s - NYC had several
severe smog episodes
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1950s onward – LA had
many smog alerts from
increase in industry and
motor vehicle use
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Led to passage of the
Clean Air Act of 1970
(updated 1977 and 1990)
–
Empowered Feds to set
emission standards that
each state had to meet