1. 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.

2. 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

3. Map of Puget Sound region

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

5. 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
Complaints continued, particularly in summer “smoke season”

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Tacoma Smelter, 1961. Tacoma Public Library Photography Archive

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

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

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

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

16. 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