The Air Pollution Problem An Appraisal, November 1960 (Annual Report for 1960)
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The Air Pollution Foundation will have fulfilled its mission early in 1961 and will then disband.
The Air Pollution Foundation will have fulfilled its mission early in 1961 and will then disband.
This year, because of the impending dissolution and the issuance of a final report early in 1961, we are presenting an appraisal of the world-wide air pollution problem in lieu of the Annual Report for 1960.
This year, because of the impending dissolution and the issuance of a final report early in 1961, we are presenting an appraisal of the world-wide air pollution problem in lieu of the Annual Report for 1960.
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... vague fears of chronic disease.
... vague fears of chronic disease.
It was agreed that the chronic effects of air pollution on health were largely circumstantial and that considerable research was needed to establish a connection between air pollution and chronic disease.
It was agreed that the chronic effects of air pollution on health were largely circumstantial and that considerable research was needed to establish a connection between air pollution and chronic disease.
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A highly emotional, sometimes highly vocal, segment of the community becom[ing] afraid of all foreign components of the atmosphere and demands immediate governmental action directed toward all emissions to the atmosphere. More often than not, the cry is taken up by politicians in response to this "will of the people."
A highly emotional, sometimes highly vocal, segment of the community becom[ing] afraid of all foreign components of the atmosphere and demands immediate governmental action directed toward all emissions to the atmosphere. More often than not, the cry is taken up by politicians in response to this "will of the people."
Control Problems
Control Problems
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Equally important in nonrecognition of an air pollution problem is the industrialist who fears that mob hysteria or political opportunism may result in regulations so oppressive as to be almost confiscatory. His fears thus blind him to his responsibilities.
Equally important in nonrecognition of an air pollution problem is the industrialist who fears that mob hysteria or political opportunism may result in regulations so oppressive as to be almost confiscatory. His fears thus blind him to his responsibilities.
When a problem is common to many segments of a given industry, an industry-wide development program may be carried out. Effective programs of this nature have been carried out by the steel industry through the American Iron and Steel Institute and by the petroleum industry through the American Petroleum Institute.
When a problem is common to many segments of a given industry, an industry-wide development program may be carried out. Effective programs of this nature have been carried out by the steel industry through the American Iron and Steel Institute and by the petroleum industry through the American Petroleum Institute.
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The need for extensive government funds for air pollution research was first recognized by Congress in 1955 when it passed Public Law No. 159, commonly known as the Kuchel Bill. The law authorized appropriation of funds up to $25,000,000 over a 5-year period to the U.S. Public Health Service for research and technical assistance in air pollution. In 1959, the law was extended for 4 years.
The need for extensive government funds for air pollution research was first recognized by Congress in 1955 when it passed Public Law No. 159, commonly known as the Kuchel Bill. The law authorized appropriation of funds up to $25,000,000 over a 5-year period to the U.S. Public Health Service for research and technical assistance in air pollution. In 1959, the law was extended for 4 years.
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“Another type of misconception arises from a popular assumption that coincidence implies a cause-and-effect relationships. A crusading group apparently bent on harassing the oil industry in Southern California has widely preached the theory that smog is a result of the use of cracked gasoline. This group asserted that smog was nonexistent until "cat-crackers" were built in Los Angeles County.”
“Another type of misconception arises from a popular assumption that coincidence implies a cause-and-effect relationships. A crusading group apparently bent on harassing the oil industry in Southern California has widely preached the theory that smog is a result of the use of cracked gasoline. This group asserted that smog was nonexistent until "cat-crackers" were built in Los Angeles County.”
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Another factor leading to misconceptions regarding air pollution problems appears to be a general deterioriation of public confidence in technical data. This may result from public controversies among scientists on matters of opinion, such as the relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer or it may stem from the exposure of misleading advertisements.
Another factor leading to misconceptions regarding air pollution problems appears to be a general deterioriation of public confidence in technical data. This may result from public controversies among scientists on matters of opinion, such as the relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer or it may stem from the exposure of misleading advertisements.
“It is difficult for many people to believe that invisible exhaust gases from motor vehicles are the culprits causing smog. Their emotions are therefore vented against visible and odorous emissions.”
“It is difficult for many people to believe that invisible exhaust gases from motor vehicles are the culprits causing smog. Their emotions are therefore vented against visible and odorous emissions.”
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Man has used the atmosphere for centuries as a means of carrying away waste, most of the time successfully. An air pollution problem arises only when the atmosphere is overloaded. In many locations, the atmosphere is perfectly capable of dispersing a pollutant if it is emitted from a sufficiently high stack.
Man has used the atmosphere for centuries as a means of carrying away waste, most of the time successfully. An air pollution problem arises only when the atmosphere is overloaded. In many locations, the atmosphere is perfectly capable of dispersing a pollutant if it is emitted from a sufficiently high stack.
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The Federal Government, through the U.S. Public Health Service, is expanding its activities in all areas of air pollution research and in atmospheric monitoring. Demand for greater federal activity is increasing. This is disconcerting to those who believe that federal aid inevitably begets federal control.
The Federal Government, through the U.S. Public Health Service, is expanding its activities in all areas of air pollution research and in atmospheric monitoring. Demand for greater federal activity is increasing. This is disconcerting to those who believe that federal aid inevitably begets federal control.
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Voluntary Organizations: Most individuals are truly concerned; some are crusaders, some are misguided fanatics and a few are outright charlatans ... The fact that many groups have been misled is testimony to the need for better information ... Occasionally ... overly ambitious groups press their crusades to the point of impairing the economy upon which they depend for a living.
Voluntary Organizations: Most individuals are truly concerned; some are crusaders, some are misguided fanatics and a few are outright charlatans ... The fact that many groups have been misled is testimony to the need for better information ... Occasionally ... overly ambitious groups press their crusades to the point of impairing the economy upon which they depend for a living.
Pendray - "the air pollution syndrome" - denial, name-calling, and clamming-up before a real attempt was made to solve the problem.
Pendray - "the air pollution syndrome" - denial, name-calling, and clamming-up before a real attempt was made to solve the problem.
In the past 15 years the attitude has changed, and notable progress has been made in industrial research to find economic means of abating air pollution. Much has been done by individual companies; a great deal more by trade associations.
In the past 15 years the attitude has changed, and notable progress has been made in industrial research to find economic means of abating air pollution. Much has been done by individual companies; a great deal more by trade associations.
Probably more information of real value in assessing and alleviating the air pollution problem has come from industrial laboratories than from any other source.
Probably more information of real value in assessing and alleviating the air pollution problem has come from industrial laboratories than from any other source.
V. NONGOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES
V. NONGOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES
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Similar activities have taken place at the local and regional level ... The Western Oil and Gas Association has spent more than $3,000,000 in 10 years in sponsored air pollution research.
Similar activities have taken place at the local and regional level ... The Western Oil and Gas Association has spent more than $3,000,000 in 10 years in sponsored air pollution research.
Outstanding jobs have been done by the American Petroleum Institute, both in granting research funds to universities and other laboratories and in cooperating with the Society of Automotive Engineers through their joint organization, the Coordinating Research Council; by the American Iron and Steel Institute ... by the Manufacturing Chemists' Association ... and by the Automobile Manufacturers Association ...
Outstanding jobs have been done by the American Petroleum Institute, both in granting research funds to universities and other laboratories and in cooperating with the Society of Automotive Engineers through their joint organization, the Coordinating Research Council; by the American Iron and Steel Institute ... by the Manufacturing Chemists' Association ... and by the Automobile Manufacturers Association ...
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The tendency to assume that scientific personnel employed by industry cannot be objective only compounds the confusion. Part of this feeling undoubtedly arises from antibusiness political alignments.
The tendency to assume that scientific personnel employed by industry cannot be objective only compounds the confusion. Part of this feeling undoubtedly arises from antibusiness political alignments.
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The words "Southern California" in the title were deleted in 1955.
The words "Southern California" in the title were deleted in 1955.
The smog problem in Los Angeles in 1953 had become so confused and so rife with emotion and politics that a group of civic-minded business and educational leaders undertook to solve the dilemma. It was generally agreed that the cause of smog was not known and that only independent, objective research could find the answers.
The smog problem in Los Angeles in 1953 had become so confused and so rife with emotion and politics that a group of civic-minded business and educational leaders undertook to solve the dilemma. It was generally agreed that the cause of smog was not known and that only independent, objective research could find the answers.
A goodly source of the funds was the petroleum industry, so when the Foundation pointed out the importance of nonindustrial sources as the chief smog culprits, several segments of the community, as was inevitable, charged the Foundation with bias and self-interest. To a certain extent these charges and suspicious, not subject to proof one way or the other, diminished the Foundation's effectiveness.
A goodly source of the funds was the petroleum industry, so when the Foundation pointed out the importance of nonindustrial sources as the chief smog culprits, several segments of the community, as was inevitable, charged the Foundation with bias and self-interest. To a certain extent these charges and suspicious, not subject to proof one way or the other, diminished the Foundation's effectiveness.
The Air Pollution Foundation
The Air Pollution Foundation
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The various news media need the intelligent cooperation of the information source to keep the publicly accurately informed.
The various news media need the intelligent cooperation of the information source to keep the publicly accurately informed.
Reporters and editors cannot, as a rule, differentiate between fact and fancy in highly scientific fields.
Reporters and editors cannot, as a rule, differentiate between fact and fancy in highly scientific fields.
Conclusions
Conclusions
1. Civic-improvement committees, clean-air groups, and other voluntary citizens' organizations need technical information and guidance to direct their enthusiasm into effective channels.
1. Civic-improvement committees, clean-air groups, and other voluntary citizens' organizations need technical information and guidance to direct their enthusiasm into effective channels.
2. Research by private industry and trade organizations would be more effective if better coordination could be effected among various organizations.
2. Research by private industry and trade organizations would be more effective if better coordination could be effected among various organizations.
3. Legal controversies and political arguments between industry and government on air pollution matters would be minimized if sound technical and economic information were available and the opinion of neutral, objective authorities were sought.
3. Legal controversies and political arguments between industry and government on air pollution matters would be minimized if sound technical and economic information were available and the opinion of neutral, objective authorities were sought.
4. Professional societies should continue their efforts to inform their memberships and the public of the status of air pollution abatement activities and the areas where more scientific information is needed.
4. Professional societies should continue their efforts to inform their memberships and the public of the status of air pollution abatement activities and the areas where more scientific information is needed.
5. The air pollution research and training activities of universities, colleges, and research institutes should be encouraged with whatever funds can be made available from both government and private sources.
5. The air pollution research and training activities of universities, colleges, and research institutes should be encouraged with whatever funds can be made available from both government and private sources.
6. News media offer an effective means of keeping the public informed. The responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented must be shared by the medium and the originator of the information.
6. News media offer an effective means of keeping the public informed. The responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented must be shared by the medium and the originator of the information.
The Role of Communications Media
The Role of Communications Media
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VI. SOLVING THE AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM
VI. SOLVING THE AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM
1. More information relating the sources of air pollution to effects on people and property.
1. More information relating the sources of air pollution to effects on people and property.
2. Development of effective control methods that will not be so expensive as to disrupt the economy of the community.
2. Development of effective control methods that will not be so expensive as to disrupt the economy of the community.
3. Broad dissemination of the facts of air pollution in language readily understood by the public.
3. Broad dissemination of the facts of air pollution in language readily understood by the public.
4. A cooperative approach between business and government toward legislation adequate to protect the public, yet in keeping with the democratic principle of fair play.
4. A cooperative approach between business and government toward legislation adequate to protect the public, yet in keeping with the democratic principle of fair play.
We recognize four needs that must be filled before an air pollution problem can be solved:
We recognize four needs that must be filled before an air pollution problem can be solved:
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In addition to technical problems, we also have a problem in communications. All too often we find government, industry, and the public separated by a wall of mutual suspicion and distrust, which makes it very difficult to apply sound reasoning to the control or abatement problem. But just as the ignorance factor can be diminished by sound research and an enlightened public information program, this suspicion and distrust can be dissipated by a little compromise and better liaison.
In addition to technical problems, we also have a problem in communications. All too often we find government, industry, and the public separated by a wall of mutual suspicion and distrust, which makes it very difficult to apply sound reasoning to the control or abatement problem. But just as the ignorance factor can be diminished by sound research and an enlightened public information program, this suspicion and distrust can be dissipated by a little compromise and better liaison.
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