Air pollution has existed as a health and environmental concern for centuries. Ignited by industrial revolutions across the globe and the use of unclean energy sources (coal, gas, diesel), air contamination has grown as a longstanding problem with numerous negative consequences. 

Various complications arise from air pollution. Air pollution creates a myriad of health and environmental problems, contributes to climate warming, and significantly decreases the quality of life for those affected. But where did problematic air pollution really begin? And, more importantly, what methods do we use today to help protect the environment and public health against air contamination? The history and protection of our climate is extensive. In this article, we’ll focus on several key events which shaped modern clean air conservation. 

Read on to learn about the history of air pollution and protection, or scroll down to see the highlights in our timeline.

Brief History of Significant Air Pollution Events

The primary causes of human-made air pollution are industrial in nature. The burning of materials create excessive clouds and smog which, over time, saturate the air with dangerous compounds like sulfur dioxide. Coal burning, for example, is one of the oldest examples of severe air pollution. In fact, severe air contamination caused by coal burning is traceable as far back as 1306, when regulations were created that sought to control intense coal burning in parts of London. 

Some of the most significant examples of air pollution, however, begin in the 1900s with the acceleration of the Industrial Revolution. The combination of weather factors and heavy reliance on burning polluting material (again, coal) created hazardous conditions detrimental to the health of living beings.

1948: Donora, PA Smog Incident

In October 1948, Donora fell victim to a smog incident which killed 20 and hospitalized 600 others. The small Pennsylvania town of 14,000 people was a haven for steel mills which produced an abundance of heavy contaminants like zinc, carbon monoxide, and sulphuric acid. At the time, no regulatory standards were in place for the small town.

During the smog incident, weather conditions trapped the air pollutants and created a thick atmosphere of poisonous fog. Elderly people and those with existing respiratory conditions died because of the contamination, and the clouds only dispersed after rainfall.

1952: The Great Smog

Infamous examples of disastrous air pollution are found throughout history, though many recognize events like the Great Smog as one of the worst. This event highlights the dangers created by mass air pollution events and the severe consequences it had on the general public’s health.

The Great Smog started during the December winter season. A combination of industrial businesses, smoke stacks, and furnaces were used to combat the cold snap, overloading the air with dangerous particles. The soot and materials combined to form poisonous clouds of thick smoke, engulfing parts of London in a dangerous fog. Other contaminants, like diesel smoke, also added a layer of pollution.

Weather inversion, where warm air trapped the cold, dangerous fog, created a “pea soup” of breathable poison. There was no wind to sweep away the smog and thus nowhere for it to disperse. City dwellers were exposed to an acidic vapor lasting for five days.

More than a visual nuisance, the Great Smog quickly grew lethal. Children, eldelry, and those with respiratory conditions were the most vulnerable. Bronchitis, pneumonia, and critical lung conditions resulted in 4,000 fog related deaths, even after the pollution dissipated. 

The resulting deaths and concerns spurred the Clean Air Act of 1956, transitioning homes away from coal heating. But the damage was done, and an event like the Great Smog punctuated how deadly air pollution was (and still is).

1953: New York Air Pollution

Almost a year later, in November 1953, a similar event in the United States occurred. While not as severe as the Great Smog, the ingredients for disaster were still there. Excessive air contamination from burning industrial materials created toxic conditions, resulting in the daily deaths of an average of 30 people in New York. Factory furnaces and filth created an atmosphere of deadly sulfur dioxide, lead, and carbon monoxide. 

Once again, excessive pollution created deadly conditions in addition to long term respiratory problems and impact on wildlife. 

Over the next several decades, the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory bodies have stepped in to monitor industrial and regulate air pollution. 

Protective Measures for Air Pollution

Today, while air contamination has been reduced, it still poses a serious health risk. The regulatory measures taken to control and reduce pollution are defined by a federal agency. For example, in the United States, the EPA handles environmental conservation policies, air pollution included. 

The EPA was originally founded in December 1970 by President Nixon, and has since worked to reduce any and all forms of environmental pollutants. During the 70s and beyond, an increase in regulatory measures were taken in response to deteriorating conditions related to the environment and air quality.

For air pollution, the EPA establishes a criteria to both identify serious air contamination and ways to reduce it. The EPA has created a combination of policies, set in place by the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act dictates the EPA set standards for air pollution, also known as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. 

The standards have a basis of six pollution criteria: particulate matter, lead, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. 

In the United States specifically, there have been other regulatory bodies introduced over the course of air pollution events. 

• Cincinnati introduces clean air laws in 1881
• LA creates Air Pollution Control District in 1947
• 1968 sees the creation of the Clean Air Act
• In 1978, the EPA sets standards for lead and lead pollution
• While the Trump administration withdraws the US from the Paris Agreement, the US rejoins in 2021

See our timeline below for more important years in the history of air pollution and air pollution protection.

Key Takeaways

Air pollution events have been occurring for centuries. Here are the main takeaways about air pollution and protection of clean air:

• Contaminants from industrial pollutants caused by manufacturing are critical suppliers of air pollution.
• Weather can contribute to the lethality of air pollution, as temperature changes trap the dangerous fog in the affected area.
• Controlling and protecting against air pollution requires regulatory standards on the allowable “safe” amount of contaminants caused by manufacturing, with an emphasis on moving towards cleaner standards and energy sources.

Unfortunately, while standards have improved, air pollution is still a serious global concern.

Sources

Chicago Image – Encyclopedia of Chicago

Donora Image – Wikipedia

London Image – History.com

New York Image – New York Times

Air Pollution Newspaper Image – Library of Congress

Johnson Signing Clean Air Act Image – autonews.com

Clean Air Act 1970 Protesters Image – Doug Draper, greengroundswell.com