Neal Boenzi / New York Times
During the Thanksgiving weekend of 1966, the city of New York experienced a devastating event that would bring air pollution to the forefront of the nation’s attention. A heat inversion in the area caused a large pocket of smog-filled air to be trap in the greater metropolitan area of New York or nearly 4 days. New York and New Jersey residents were assaulted by high levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other particulates. Industries had to shut downer limit emissions and trash incinerators were also halted. People with respiratory or cardiovascular issues were encouraged to stay inside.
Surveys conducted later over concern for public health revealed that almost 10% of the people in the ehad suffered adverse health effects, such as stinging eyes, coughing, and respiratory distress. 168 people died from the smog. Despite the tragic nature of this event, it rallied America against air pollution. Before this infamous incident, only half of the cities in the US had some kind of air pollution regulation. Congress soon passed the Air Quality Act and Clean Air Act, spurring change nationwide, installing federal regulations. The 1966 New York Smog would become one of the most monumental events in history of environmental protection.