Period+1+-+Donora

 ** Donora: Fatal Fog October, 1948

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//__What is Donora?__// Donora is a small city around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that faced a dangerous air pollution crisis in 1948. //__What kind of pollution?__//   The air in this city was polluted by the local Zinc Work and steel companies close by.

//__What Happend?__// In late October, the people of Donora were experiencing a thick fog in the their city. People didn't think of what the fog would lead to because they were adjusted to the thick fog from the coal heated homes. The people started to smell of sulfur dioxide and began to worry. As the fog stayed in the air, people began to get sick. People with asthma and the elderly began to have harder breathing conditions. Later on, complaints of a variety of people having headaches, stomach problems, choking and light headed feelings. The companies polluting the air however ignored the danger signs and kept going on with their regular    routines.

//__Effects of Donora-__// As people kept feeling ill from this thick smog, people began to worry after the first death was announced. One after One people began going to hospitals of not being able to breathe. In the end, 7,000 people received medical attention for the smog. Not only did people become sick, 20 others died from asphyxiation (suffocating) from the pollution. <span style="COLOR: rgb(227,22,22)">



//<span style="COLOR: rgb(227,22,22)">__Aftermath of Donora-__ // <span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">Following the terrible disaster at Donora, Pennsylvania established the Division of Air Pollution Control to study the matter. In 1965, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the clean streams law and the subsequent year enacted state wide clean air regulations. The "Environmental Bill of Rights" was passed in 1970, and ensured all people of clean air and pure water. The national government also in 1970 established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Congress pass the Clean Air Act. Ultimately a few years later, Pennsylvania established the Department of Environmental Resources later named Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The main goal of this new department was to ensure future generations a clean and sustainable environment.



Works Cited: http://naturalpatriot.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/donora_pa.jpg (donora pic) http://www.docheritage.state.pa.us/documents/donora.asp [|http://www.achoicehomeinspection.com/a%20DEP%20Logo%20(Small).jpg] (DEP pic) Thompson,Graham R., __Earth, Science and the Environment__, Oct.26,2004. pg 576.- (top info.)


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