The people's voice., 1958-10-17
Editorial
Montana Must Come To Grips With
Growing Air Pollution Problem

Growing Air Pollution Problem
Air pollution the kind that currently being
waited the Montana by poticians-is growing
problem both state and nationwide with which must
if the health of the great majority of Americans to
be spared material impairment.
interview with u S. Assistant Surgeon General DR.. Mark D.
Hollis raises the questions Is u running out of fresh air?
Can the country growing indefinitely without acting now
to protect it's air supply?
the first question the is yes To the second,
mo" according to DR.. Hollis.
Today a 10000 communities in the
ton which "have air-poution problem of some kind
according Dr. Hollis every additional places
find it becoming difficult to keep the air supply
fresh and healthful for people to breathe"
With air pollution growing by leaps and bounds because of
national state and local levels there will be measurable ef
public health" Partcularzed lung most
commonly associated in the public mind growing hazard
brought about by air pollution whether from factory wastes
blown into the given off by excessive concentration
vehicles In addition air pollution feeds various kinds
OF aergles orngS cumulative increase IN tne amount OF
atomic radiation absorbed by plant and animal life and in
many instances aggravate chronic conditions leading to health
impairment.
Dolar-wise, pollution costing estimated four bill
lions per and despite hundreds of millions annually being
spent by industry and public agencies to curb this manade
blight the dollar toll can be expected to if toxic sub
stances in the air allowed to increase unchecked
Here in Montana, although gradually gaining
industry have no legislation the books with
which effectively with air pollution.
the pulpm of Mssoua at certain times
general smarng of the Undoubtedly the chemi
Gals loosed into the air have also had adverse effect
that the odor of sockyard would like altar of
compared with that pulp operation when the clouds hang thick
and low the Garden City.
An alfalfa mill in the Belgrade gives off aroma
which passerby mistakes for the rea (barnyard)
Mccoy"
Oil refneres particularly the Billings area, make life
less than wholesome in winter months for upwards of hun
thousand Montanans whiting in the Midland Empire
section.
Sugar beet reneries many years. off obnoxious
odors in the Mssoua Sidney Billings and Hardin With
the exception of Hardin this air pollution problem has been
largely whipped odorwise New pulpdryng processes
credited for this improvement.
There's the chemical plant Butte 1t is doing nothing
improve the pure mountain air. for which Monanan in
the past have been justly proud.
And, there smelters aluminium fabrication plants and
Montanas old standbythe saWmils which all waiting
into the air varying amounts of fine chemical residues which
potential or real hazards to health.
"a study by National Cancer Institute, according to
WALL STREET JOURNAL, Sept, 18, 1858 g. showed
that of the lung much prevalent
smelling cities In Montana than agricultural In
Deer Lodge county (Anaconda) a smelling center, lung
deaths in 194748 totaed 457 100000 while
in agricultural Gallatn (Bozeman the figure
only So deaths per 100000 <.")
Our nations population is growing at alarming rate
The population press plus Montana huge storehoue of
that the time hand when the Treasure
State will major role in the industrial life of the West
and of the nation.
We want more industriazation. We want people,
We want to keep at home the and whose
education dearly bought We want Montana to be more
all those