Unspeakable tragedy struck the town of Donora, just 24 miles from Pittsburgh, one late October day in 1948. For many, that day started as it always had: Leaving home - on the way to work, to school, or elsewhere - in the smog. But, as survivors have told over the years, something was frighteningly different that day.
Smog was no stranger to the town of Donora but on October 27, 1948, the smog appeared different. Thicker. Crueler. Survivors told of a burning of the eyes and the throat as the yellow smog grew thicker - and darker - as the day wore on.
The thick veil of smog - spewing from the American Steel & Wire Mill and Donora Zinc Works - hung heavy over Donora and its residents for five consecutive days. Firefighters used oxygen masks to help residents breathe somewhat easier, if only for a few minutes.
Officials at the plants refused to halt work as the smog started to take a heavy toll on the community. By Sunday, October 31, 1948, 20 residents had died and more than 7,000 had fallen ill just struggling to breathe when the steel mill and zinc works finally shut down production.
Coined the country's "largest air pollution disaster," the Donora Smog of 1948 would eventually be attributed to a toxic mixture of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and metal dust emitted from the town's zinc mill.
Word of the tragedy in Donora spread across the country, awakening an awareness in Americans as to the danger of industrial pollution.
Donora's tragedy eventually led to federal legislation, starting with the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955 and followed by the Clean Air Act of 1963, the latter of which set standards for keeping track of and controlling air pollution.
Today, Pennsylvanians can learn more about the Donora Smog of 1948 by visiting the Donora Smog Museum, which welcomes guests each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free.
The Donora Smog Museum is located at 595 McKean Avenue, Donora, PA 15033.
The town of Donora, just outside of Pittsburgh, showed the world that good can, indeed, come out of unspeakable tragedy. Discover even more of Southwestern Pennsylvania's rich history with a glimpse at these vintage photos of the steel industry in Pittsburgh.
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