3.7.2.2 Donora, Pennsylvania, U.S., 1948
This episode took place on October 26, 1948, and was also due to thermal
inversion and foggy weather, which affected a wide area. Many industries,
including a large steel mill, a zinc-production plant, and a sulfuric-acid plant,
were located in this small industrial city. Nearly half of the population of
14,000 became ill, with coughing being the most prevalent symptom. High
levels of SO 2 and particulate matter were the suspected cause of the suffering.
This episode resulted in 20 human deaths.
3.7.2.3 Poza Rica, Mexico, 1950
The incident that occurred in the city of Poza Rica, Mexico, in the early
morning of November 24, 1950, was caused by the accidental release of H 2 S
from a natural gas plant. At the time of the accident, most of the nearby
residents were still in bed or had just gotten up. Many were quickly affected
with symptoms of respiratory distress and central nervous system damage.
Twenty-two people died and more than 300 were hospitalized.
3.7.2.4 London, England, 1952
This is the most widely known air pollution episode. It occurred during
December 5 through 8, 1952, and was the result of fog and thermal inversion.
Many people suffered from shortness of breath. Cyanosis, some fever, and
excess fluid in the lungs were reported in many patients. High levels of SO 2 ,
fluoride, and smoke were recorded in the air. According to municipal statistics,
approximately 4000 excess deaths occurred. The figure obtained was the
difference between the average number of deaths for the same period between
1947 and 1951 and the number of deaths that occurred during the episode
(Figure 3.2). Most of those affected were in the older age groups, and generally
had disease of the heart or lungs prior to the pollution episode.
3.7.2.5 New York, U.S., 1953
This episode occurred from November 18 to 22, 1953, as a result of air
stagnation and the presence of a high level of SO 2 and led to several thousand
excess deaths.
3.7.2.6 Los Angeles, California, U.S., 1954
Unlike those events mentioned above, the cause of this episode was smog
formation and the accumulation of high levels of photochemical oxidants, such
as O 3 and PAN. Excess deaths totaling 247 per day in the 65 to 70 year age
group were among the observed consequences.
Occurrence of Toxicants
37
[16:54 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-003.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-003 Page: 37 31-44
This episode took place on October 26, 1948, and was also due to thermal
inversion and foggy weather, which affected a wide area. Many industries,
including a large steel mill, a zinc-production plant, and a sulfuric-acid plant,
were located in this small industrial city. Nearly half of the population of
14,000 became ill, with coughing being the most prevalent symptom. High
levels of SO 2 and particulate matter were the suspected cause of the suffering.
This episode resulted in 20 human deaths.
3.7.2.3 Poza Rica, Mexico, 1950
The incident that occurred in the city of Poza Rica, Mexico, in the early
morning of November 24, 1950, was caused by the accidental release of H 2 S
from a natural gas plant. At the time of the accident, most of the nearby
residents were still in bed or had just gotten up. Many were quickly affected
with symptoms of respiratory distress and central nervous system damage.
Twenty-two people died and more than 300 were hospitalized.
3.7.2.4 London, England, 1952
This is the most widely known air pollution episode. It occurred during
December 5 through 8, 1952, and was the result of fog and thermal inversion.
Many people suffered from shortness of breath. Cyanosis, some fever, and
excess fluid in the lungs were reported in many patients. High levels of SO 2 ,
fluoride, and smoke were recorded in the air. According to municipal statistics,
approximately 4000 excess deaths occurred. The figure obtained was the
difference between the average number of deaths for the same period between
1947 and 1951 and the number of deaths that occurred during the episode
(Figure 3.2). Most of those affected were in the older age groups, and generally
had disease of the heart or lungs prior to the pollution episode.
3.7.2.5 New York, U.S., 1953
This episode occurred from November 18 to 22, 1953, as a result of air
stagnation and the presence of a high level of SO 2 and led to several thousand
excess deaths.
3.7.2.6 Los Angeles, California, U.S., 1954
Unlike those events mentioned above, the cause of this episode was smog
formation and the accumulation of high levels of photochemical oxidants, such
as O 3 and PAN. Excess deaths totaling 247 per day in the 65 to 70 year age
group were among the observed consequences.
Occurrence of Toxicants
37
[16:54 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-003.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-003 Page: 37 31-44