The Beginnings

Cleveland in the early 1900’s was already a prosperous, industrial community. The area where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie had come a long way since the early Alonzo Carter settlement. The polluting by-products of this development and prosperity were considered to be nuisances that were tolerated for the sake of progress. But the nature and focus of Cleveland’s air pollution problem has changed considerably since the turn of the century.

Continuous research on exposure panels placed strategically around the city added insight on other specific pollutants causing economic damage to materials and property. Observation and study on the etching of glass, corrosion of steel, fading or discoloration of house paints, and even the accumulation of dirt on homes provided valuable information as to the harmful effects of dirt, sulfides, acid gases, and fluorides.

We carried out a combined meteorological and air pollution study of the Flats and brought together, for the first time, disciplines that analytically defined Cleveland’s unique air pollution and weather problems. To collect fine dust that had previously been ignored, DAPC personnel devised automatic samplers. In 1958, a study on the exposure to radiation resulted in the prohibited use or sale of fluoroscopes (x-ray machines) other than to physicians or podiatrists. We also investigated greenhouse practices and use of organic phosphate insecticides.

Typical complaints in the 1950’s were for noise, vibrations, excess emissions and annoyances. Night complaints were beginning to become a significant part of public awareness regarding air pollution. Local legislative developments included limits to fly ash emissions, which became amendments to the Air Pollution Code in 1951. An amended 1959 ordinance contained re-worded sections that more clearly established responsibility for air pollution.

Environmental studies were becoming more comprehensive during the late 1950’s when Federal grants for federally initiated environmental programs began. In 1957, the U.S. Public Health service started the national Air Sampling Network Program that included studies on fine dust and the concentration of gaseous pollutants in 250 cities throughout the country. Gradually, it was possible to gather data and compare the air quality for any given 24-hour period in diverse areas of the country. The stations sampled for particulates, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

Today, the DAQ air sampling network for Cleveland and surrounding communities consists of 48 continuous and intermittent monitors located at 24 different sites; monitoring Sulfur Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Ozone, Nitric Oxides, Nitric Dioxide, Particulate Matter of 10 and 2.5 microns, Total Suspended Lead Particulate, Air Toxics for 77 hazardous compounds, and Radiation.

Next: The role of the Division of Air Pollution Control again changes as the Federal Government begins assuming a protective role on nationwide air pollution.

Contributed by David Hearne and Andrew Shroads