THE DONORA DISASTER

Abstract

To the Editor:— Not often is a relatively minor disaster so loaded with significance for the whole country as was that of October 30 at Donora. It deserved also more intelligent handling than it recently received inThe Journal's Queries and Minor Notes columns (p. 1122, April 16, 1949). High-lighting as it did the growing problem of industrial air pollution, the Donora tragedy should be most closely studied in its public health aspects. Suddenly everyone realizes the prohibitive health costs to the community from industrial pollution of its atmosphere—which I have been pointing out since 1941. Is the medical profession now to leave consideration of this serious health hazard to governmental health authorities and still further weaken its stand as the nation's health guardian? Is this profession to stand for health or for disease? The Donora disaster offers a most pertinent case in point. The United States Public Health