Question: How did the Pittsburgh Renaissance effect public health and safety in 1945-1970?
• What was it like before ww2?
Before the world wars, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was the textbook example of an industrial society. In the year 1900, Pittsburgh produced 41% of Americas steel and almost 30% of the steel consumes worldwide. It was a time of economic prosperity as the United States rose quickly through the ranks to the imperialist powerhouse that is glorified today. While Pittsburgh was known as the Steel City or Steel City, U.S.A., to its occupants it was known as the Smoky City. This was because, while the city had a thriving industry and the cash flow that came with it, there was a significant price to pay in return for that prosperity.
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o Smoke Control
On July 10, 1947, Pennsylvania amended the previously established Bureau Code, to grant boroughs the power to regulate the emission of smoke from chimneys, smokestacks, and other sources with the exception of locomotive smokestacks; prohibit and remove nuisances and noxious and offensive business; and to make regulations necessary for health and cleanliness. (Joint State Gov Commission, 15)
In 1947, all one and two family dwellings were required to use natural gas rather than coal. (PittEngineer, pg 10)
In 1957, the Allegheny Health Department took over the City Smoke Control Bureau in 1957 (pittEngineer pg
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These solutions included using coal that gives off less gaseous material, adjusting the airflow rate by using over fire jets to inject more oxygen into the furnace, and collecting and reinjecting unburned material so it fully combusts. (joint state gov, 26-27) o Dumping policies and waste management
The 1937 legislation was amended in 1945 to put mine silt under the law, but left the diversion of acid mine drainage at State expense and any industrial waste exempted from the legislation was disposed of in the municipal sewer systems. (Industrial waste, 549)
In 1945 and 1946, almost 100 industries and 100 municipalities located in the Pittsburgh area were ordered by the State Sanitary Water Board to abate pollution in the streams. There were a great many more industries contributing to the pollution, but according to the 1945 amendment to the Pure Streams Act, industries that were connected to the public sewer systems were exempt from direct action by the State (Industrial Waste, 550)
• What was the public opinion of the environmental policies put in