ASARCO’s Tacoma copper smelter Politics of environmental pollution in the post-war period: ASARCO’s Tacoma copper smelter Marianne Sullivan Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Tacoma Smelter stack, 1936 Tacoma Public Library Photography Archive This research has been funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Science to Achieve Results Graduate Fellowship Program. The EPA has not officially endorsed this presentation and the views expressed herein may not reflect the views of the EPA.

Background Nonferrous smelters Pollution from smelters Historical perspective on smelters and air pollution Some of earliest air pollution abatement struggles in US concerned smelters Technology to capture sulfur dioxide and toxic metals came out of these struggles

Map of Puget Sound region

The Tacoma smelter One of largest copper smelters/refineries Operated from 1890-1985 One of largest anthropogenic sources for arsenic in the world Tacoma Smelter, July 1953. Tacoma Public Library Photography Archive

Community concerns about smelter pollution Most complaints had to do with sulfur dioxide air pollution 1916/1917 North end improvement group Nuisance lawsuit in 1917 Some technological upgrades installed in 1917-1918 Complaints continued, particularly in summer “smoke season”

Response of Tacoma officials Smelter outside of city’s jurisdiction Smelter can’t abate pollution, would have to close

How complaints were handled Inspector Damage payments Vegetation Pets Property Cheaper than controlling pollution Dependent on air pollution being seen as a nuisance

Post World War II: growing concerns about air pollution Evolving awareness of impact of air pollution on human health and the environment Air pollution disasters Meuse Valley, 1930 Donora, 1948 London Smog, 1952

Post-war Tacoma Air pollution problems Population growth Development of the north end of Tacoma, within smoke stream Influx of people not dependent on the smelter

Tacoma’s north end, aerial view, 1961 Tacoma’s north end, aerial view, 1961. Tacoma Public Library Photography Archive

Tacoma Smelter, 1961. Tacoma Public Library Photography Archive

Community organizing Citizens committee forms 1957 Purpose: to protect health Role of women Actions: study, organizing, letter-writing, testifying

ASARCO’s actions Stopping the Smoke Control Officer’s survey Influencing local and state efforts to control air pollution

Local and state response State health department reluctant to get involved Difficulty legislating Few tangible accomplishments

The discovery of arsenic emissions Arsenic showers in early 1960s Citizens Committee takes sample to City Hall Asks for investigation by the Surgeon General

Conclusions Public Health Service recommendations not pursued Washington state Clean Air Act, 1967 Federal Clean Air Act revisions 1970 Standards, deadlines and enforcement Tacoma Smelter closed in 1985 without meeting local standards for sulfur dioxide, arsenic emissions still considerable