3.7.2.7 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., 1955
This episode was marked by a sharp increase in the incidence of asthma among
the residents of the city. The normal frequency of visits to a local hospital was
reported to be an average of 25 per day; but during the episode period it was
200 per day. The suspected cause was dust from flour mills.
3.7.2.8 Worldwide Episode, 1962
This air pollution episode lasted from November 27 to December 10, 1962, and
involved the eastern part of the U.S.; London, England; Rotterdam, The
Netherlands; Osaka, Japan; Frankfurt, Germany; Paris, France; and Prague,
Czechoslovakia. Patients in the U.S. suffered upper respiratory symptoms.
There were 700 excess deaths in London, and 60 in Osaka.
3.7.2.9 Tokyo, Japan, 1970
This episode occurred in Tokyo, Japan, on July 18, 1970, and was due to high
levels of oxidants and SO 2 in the atmosphere. More than 6000 people
complained of severe eye irritation and sore throat. Figure 3.3 shows a smoggy
day in Tokyo in 1972, with Tokyo Tower barely visible. (Much improvement in
Tokyo’s air quality has since been made. Many visitors are impressed with the
generally favorable air quality, considering that the city’s population is more
than 15 million.)
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Environmental Toxicology
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FIGURE 3.2 Excess deaths in Greater London, England, during the air pollution episode of
December 5 to 8, 1952.