Imagine walking down a city street and being unable to see more than a few feet ahead of you because of the smog. Or perhaps living in a town where rivers caught fire, and acid rain stung your skin. This wasn’t fiction—it was the reality for many Americans before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was founded in 1970.
In the decades before environmental regulations were put in place, pollution was a constant companion. The air was thick with pollutants, rivers ran murky with industrial waste, and landfills stretched into the horizon. While it might seem far-fetched today, photos and stories from this time paint a picture of a country grappling with unchecked pollution.
Urban Smog: Breathing Was Optional
One of the most significant environmental challenges during the pre-EPA era was air pollution. Los Angeles, for example, became infamous for its smog, which was so thick that it often obscured the view of the mountains. Residents would report burning eyes, throbbing headaches, and breathing difficulties on particularly bad days.
A Reddit user shared a haunting memory from their father, who grew up in Southern California in the 1950s. The sky was often a sickly shade of brownish-green, and on especially hot days, outdoor activities were banned due to the unbearable smog. This reality wasn’t isolated to Los Angeles—cities like New York and Pittsburgh faced similar challenges.
Key Facts:
- Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s: Often obscured by thick smog, people were warned to stay indoors.
- Acid Rain in California: In the 1980s, residents of Azusa, California, reported rain that would sting their eyes—acid rain caused by industrial emissions.
- Car Exhausts: Before emissions controls, car exhaust was so noxious that it burned the eyes and made long exposure unbearable.
Rivers on Fire: The Infamous Cuyahoga
One of the most iconic symbols of environmental degradation before the EPA was the Cuyahoga River fire in Ohio. The river, heavily polluted by industrial waste, caught fire multiple times, but the 1969 fire garnered national attention. This incident was one of the key catalysts for environmental reforms that eventually led to the creation of the EPA.
Key Facts:
- Cuyahoga River Fire (1969): Sparked by floating oil and debris, this fire became a national symbol of the urgent need for pollution control.
- Impact on Industry: The fires damaged infrastructure, such as railroad bridges, leading corporations to sue each other for environmental damages.
Lead, Chemicals, and Cancer: Dangerous Work Environments
The unregulated use of hazardous chemicals was another grim reality before the EPA. Workers who sprayed crops or killed weeds often did so without protective gear, handling chemicals now known to be toxic. Many of these workers developed cancers or neurological disorders later in life, often without knowing the cause.
One Reddit user shared a story about a relative who worked in agriculture during the 1970s. He spent years spraying trees with now-banned pesticides without protective equipment, only to develop numerous health issues, including cancer.
Key Facts:
- Lead Gasoline: Lead was added to gasoline to boost octane levels, which helped engines run smoother. However, the resulting lead pollution was devastating to public health.
- Toxic Agriculture: Farmers and laborers often worked without protection, handling dangerous chemicals that later caused chronic illnesses and cancers.
Landfills and Dumps: A Public Health Crisis
Before modern waste management practices were implemented, landfills were essentially massive open-air dumps. Trash piled up for weeks, attracting rats, birds, and fires. In Staten Island, New York, the Fresh Kills Landfill became one of the world’s largest garbage dumps, visible for miles around.
A user from Reddit recounted how, as children, they would count the discarded bottles and cans while driving through rural areas, underscoring the sheer volume of trash people would toss on the roadside.
Key Facts:
- Fresh Kills Landfill: Staten Island’s infamous dump was eventually capped and converted into a wildlife park, but for decades, it stood as a towering symbol of waste.
- Daily Trash Fires: In many dumps, trash fires were a common occurrence, further polluting the air and releasing toxic fumes.
Before the EPA: Environmental Awareness
The push for environmental reform was not just born from government intervention but from a growing public awareness. Campaigns like the famous “Crying Indian” ad, which depicted the devastating effects of littering and pollution, caught the public’s attention.
- Cuyahoga River Fire & Love Canal: These environmental disasters galvanized citizens and lawmakers, who realized that voluntary corporate measures weren’t enough.
- Grassroots Environmentalism: The environmental movement of the 1960s and 70s, led by activists and concerned citizens, played a critical role in shaping the eventual formation of the EPA.
Post-EPA: A Cleaner America, But Not Without Challenges
With the founding of the EPA, landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act came into effect. These laws set standards for air and water quality and regulated industrial pollution. The changes were immediate and significant. Air quality in cities improved, rivers became cleaner, and hazardous waste was better managed.
Yet, challenges remain. Smog still blankets cities like Los Angeles from time to time, and pollution continues to affect low-income communities disproportionately. While the EPA has made remarkable strides, the fight for a cleaner, healthier environment continues.
Conclusion: The Cost of Forgetting the Past
The pre-EPA United States was a place where pollution went unchecked, and the environment was sacrificed in the name of industrial progress. Smog-choked cities, flaming rivers, and toxic work environments were daily realities for millions of Americans. Today, thanks to the EPA and environmental movements, the U.S. is a much cleaner place, though the struggle to maintain those gains remains.
Understanding the past is key to appreciating the progress made—and ensuring we don’t slip back into the pollution-filled world our grandparents lived in.