Clean Air -- California's Success and Future Challenges
This page last reviewed September 19, 2008.
Speaking Notes Slide 3
Historical Slide : Temperature Inversion Layer Over LA
Speaking Notes : Pollutants from Industrialization
Historical Events
|
1930 |
Meuse Valley, Belgium - 60 Dead and Thousands Sick |
|
1943 |
Los Angeles, California - Visibility
3 Blocks, Numerous Complaints, Watery Eyes, Nausea and Respiratory Discomfort |
|
1948 |
Donora, Pennslyvania - 20 People and 1,000's of Animals Dead, 6,000 Ill |
|
1930 |
London, England - Killer Fog 4,000 Dead |
As you can see, pollutants accumulate. What traps the pollutants is what is called
a "temperature inversion" -- warm air above cooler air. So imagine a pot (i.e., a valley surrounded by
mountains), add ingredients (pollutants from cars and industry), put a lid on it (temperature inversion), and turn
on the heat (UV light from the sun) and you get bad air. Even with the start of controls early in the
20th Century, the build up of pollutants from industrialization led to significant public heath events. In 1930,
the Meuse Valley of Belgium was our first recorded air pollution disaster. A temperature inversion trapping
industrial pollutants resulted in 60 dead and thousands sick from exposure to industrial air emissions. Several
other events throughout history also document loss of life and various ailments, as the result of air pollution.
In 1943, California recorded its first such event.
(Note:
Add information where you feel appropriate.)
- 1948 - Donora, Pennslyvania - 20 People, Numerous Animals Dead, 6000 Sick
- 1952 - London England - 4,000 Dead
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