NEWS
May 9 1955 WALTER J. MURPHY, Editor
Air Pollution—A $100 Million Problem A m pollution, although local i n nature, is sufficiently widespread to warrant consideration on a national basis, said William C . Foster, president of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, at the Third National Air Pollution Symposium held recendy at Pasadena. The triumvirate which now causes air pollution, says Foster, is industry, the community, and the individual citizen. Solution of the problem, Foster feels, requires more utilization of techniques and technology now available, research into areas about which there is uncertainty, and a positive public information program. In the first area, for example, much pollution could be abated b y application of existing knowledge and equipment. Efficiently designed incinerators are available for private, public, and industrial use. They are not used as widely as they might be. In the second area, research t o date has shown that our knowledge of effective control measures and the long range effects of certain pollutants i s inadequate in many phases. With respect t o public information aspects, Foster believes that the public must b e fully informed as to the problems involved, the status of research, and possible solutions. One possible approach to the situation, Foster indicated, has been worked up by the MCA and its committee on air pollution abatement. This calls for a permanent National Advisory Committee on Air Pollution Abatement. Such a cornmittee, composed of federal and state officials and industry representatives, might serve i n an advisory capacity to the President. Members of the Government's Ad Hoc Committee on Community Air Pollution could b e included. A committee of the type proposed, MCA feels, would provide a means of approaching the job in a coordinated manner. Both local and federal interests would b e represented, research would not be duplicated, divergent views could be aired, and the means of collecting and disseminating information would be centralized. The problem exists and cannot be ignored. In some places it appears to be getting more serious. Legislative proposals are being considered i n both federal and state legislatures. Some of the proposed laws are unduly restrictive. Where do the chemical and chemical process industries and the chemical profession fit into the picture? These industries have been vitally concerned with this bugbear for many years. At present 40% of the $100 million annual industrial expenditure for air pollution control and abatement are spent b y the chemical and process industries. The Manufacturing Chemists' Association, with a broad membership in t h e chemical industry, has long
had an active committee o n air pollution abatement. This committee includes in its membership pollution authorities and experts. In many respects the answer to the air pollution riddle will be found in the scientific and technical means developed through research. It i s in this area that the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY and other professional
societies, research institutes, and academic institutions have been active. The ACS, for example, has long had an active Committee on Air Pollution. In recognizing air pollution as a growing menace, the ACS h a s focused attention o n it by organizing symposia at national meetings. These symposia serve as a medium for the presentation and dissemination of information on the subject. Such material has been given wide circulation through publication in the ACS Journals. As early as May 1933, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry reported the need for researen and foe status of work being done as reported by the Mellon Institute. D e tailed symposia appeared in IbEC in November 1939, May 1947, and November a n d December 1949. Since 1950, lù-EC has printed regularly a column on air pollution. The April issue o f die Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry had a comprehensive article on one phase of the situation. The May issues of lù-EC and Analytical Chemistry will each carry symposia on the subject of air pollution. It is obvious, therefore, that the chemical industry and the chemical profession are vitally interested, and stand ready to participate i n any activity or with any organization interested in discovering ways and means of combatting air pollution. W e agree with MCA that while air pollution is a local headache, consideration of i t on a national scale b y all groups involved could provide general guidance to local groups. A committee such as that proposed by MCA, w e believe, could b e an effective medium for helping to spell out the problem and to set t h e facts straight concerning air pollution. In setting u.p such a committee, we believe that representatives of the chemical industry and of professional and technical societies, research institutes, and academic institutions which have long been active in the field o f air pollution prevention, should b e included. In addition to this coordinated approach, we feel, the professional and technical societies should continue their individual efforts of stimulating research^ promoting the exchange of information, and publishing their technical reports in those areas of direct interest to them. In this regard the ACS has symposia o n air pollution planned for 1955 a n d 1956.
