Document X7dJ3V4YVqXvaeKpz1e1a2pbd

TRASKO--STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 485 studies for the State Commission on Prevention and Abatement of Air Pollution. In both this state and in Maryland the information is to be presented to the respec tive state legislatures in connection with contemplated legislation on air pollution control. Activity in West Virginia has centered around an experimental study of air pollution problems in an area covering 25 sq. mi. (64.75 km.2). Industries in the area are financially supporting this project, to which the West Virginia Bureau of Industrial Hygiene has assigned full time personnel. Air pollution activities are more prevalent on the local level. In addition to previously existing smoke abatement units, many large cities, recognizing that smoke control is but one aspect of the problem, have established air pollution control units. Some of these units are autonomous. Others are located in various depart ments, some of which are health departments; the latter units are frequently tied in with industrial hygiene programs. For example, the city ordinance in St. Louis delegates responsibility to the industrial hygiene section of the St. Louis Division of Health for the control of air pollution from sources other than the burning of fuel or refuse. The Detroit Bureau of Industrial Health, through an arrangement with the local smoke abatement agency, has responsibility for the technical phases of air pollution evaluations. A unique arrangement is in operation in Cleveland, where air pollution control has functioned satisfactorily for several years as a divisional activity in the Cleveland Department of Health and Welfare. This is an exceptional case in which the division of Air Pollution Control has under its administration. the Bureau of Industrial Hygiene. The air pollution problems studied by these agencies during the reporting period ranged from potentially serious ones,, such as lead fumes escaping from a small lead smelter near a housing development, to nuisance complaints, such as bad odors from a soap-making factory. Soot fall studies have been made by the divisions in West Virginia, Massachusetts; and Illinois and by that in St. Louis, usually in cooperation with local smoke abatement engineers. The Baltimore Bureau of Industrial Hygiene made an intensive study of seven asphalt paving plants to evaluate the effectiveness of dust suppression equipment both within and outside the plants. The divisions in the Detroit and Michigan health departments are cooperating with the United States and Canadian governments in a study of the international pollution problem at Detroit and at Windsor, Ont. Three divisions--Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia--have set up their own mobile laboratories in an effort to facilitate the sampling and analysis of atmospheric contaminants in the field. Many other related activities, including developmental research, assistance in drafting local ordinances, and working with local citizen groups on air pollution abatement, were reported by these agencies. Comments in the reports leave little doubt as to the importance that air pollution control work is receiving in their programs. Personnel limitations and . the enormity of some of the problems are the chief obstacles to-compliance with many requests/for assistance. Ionizing Radiation.--The tremendous expansion of the industrial uses of radio active materials and the increased numbers of persons potentially exposed to harmful ionizing radiations have placed an added responsibility on the state and local indus-