The Donora Death Fog: Clean Air and the Tragedy of a Pennsylvania Mill Town

In October 1948, a six-day smog event in Donora, Pennsylvania, resulted in 21 deaths and thousands of sick people. The event led to the nation's first clean air act in 1955, highlighting the human story of wealthy industrialists, residents' ignorance, and the town's decline.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2023
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

In October 1948, a seemingly ordinary fog descended upon the tiny mill town of Donora, Pennsylvania. With a population of fewer than fifteen thousand, the town's main industry was steel and zinc mills—mills that continually emitted pollutants into the air. The six-day smog event left twenty-one people dead and thousands sick. Even after the fog lifted, hundreds more died or were left with lingering health problems.

Donora Death Fog details how six fateful days in Donora led to the nation's first clean air act in 1955, and how such catastrophes can lead to successful policy change. Andy McPhee tells the very human story behind this ecological disaster: how wealthy industrialists built the mills to supply an ever-growing America; how the town's residents—millworkers and their families—wilfully ignored the danger of the mills' emissions; and how the gradual closing of the mills over the years following the tragedy took its toll on the town.

The smog event in Donora was a wake-up call to the nation about the dangers of air pollution. It led to the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1955, which set standards for air quality and set the stage for modern environmental regulations. The story of Donora also highlights the power of community activism and the importance of holding corporations accountable for their actions.

Despite the tragedy of Donora, the town has made efforts to recover and thrive. The closure of the mills has led to the development of new industries and the revitalization of the local economy. The community has also taken steps to address the legacy of air pollution, including the installation of air pollution control equipment and the promotion of clean energy.

In conclusion, the Donora Death Fog was a devastating ecological disaster that had far-reaching consequences for the nation and the world. However, it also served as a catalyst for positive change, leading to the passage of the Clean Air Act and the promotion of environmental sustainability. The story of Donora reminds us of the importance of protecting our environment and the human health and well-being that depend on it.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822966715