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Donora, Pennsylvania, a small industrial town located about 25 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, was home to a number of steel mills and other heavy industries. The town's air was heavily polluted by smoke and other emissions from these industries, and residents had long complained of respiratory problems and other health issues.
In October 1948, a heavy smog descended on Donora, trapping pollutants in the air and creating a dangerous public health emergency. The smog was caused by a combination of factors, including a temperature inversion, which prevented pollutants from rising and dissipating, and the release of large amounts of pollutants from local industries.
The smog lasted for five days and caused the deaths of at least 20 people, with hundreds more hospitalized. The smog also caused widespread damage to the environment, damaging crops and forests.
The Donora smog was a wake-up call for the country, and it helped spur the clean-air movement. In the years that followed, the government passed a number of laws to regulate air pollution, and the steel industry began to take steps to reduce its emissions.
London, England
London, England, has a long history of air pollution, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. The city's air was heavily polluted by smoke from coal-burning factories and homes, and residents suffered from high rates of respiratory problems, including bronchitis and lung cancer.
In December 1952, a dense smog descended on London, lasting for several days and causing widespread health problems. The smog was caused by a combination of factors, including a temperature inversion, which prevented pollutants from rising and dissipating, and the release of large amounts of pollutants from coal-burning factories and homes.
The Great Smog of 1952 caused the deaths of at least 4,000 people, and thousands more were hospitalized. The smog also caused widespread damage to the environment, including damage to crops and forests.
The Great Smog of 1952 was a major turning point in the fight against air pollution. In the years that followed, the British government passed a number of laws to regulate air pollution, and the country began to transition away from coal-burning energy sources.
The Donora smog and the Great Smog of 1952 were major public health disasters that helped spur the clean-air movement. These events led to the passage of laws that regulated air pollution and helped to improve air quality in cities around the world.