Pollution explosion; 5

National Educational radio presents the following program in cooperation with a group w Westinghouse Broadcasting Company. On the same morning. The gasoline because without the gasoline to go to it it would make the crank that made that mistake. But you know what happens in some of these gusts are lean and smog. True the Westinghouse Broadcasting Company presents the pollution explosion a 10 part study of the rising tide of air and water pollution in America. Your commentator is John Daly. Pollution has become an increasingly frightening problem and in this program

we'll be taking a look at one of air pollution its prime causes. The automobile symbol of our American dream. Pacemakers. The fun life the good life the affluent life. Call it what you will. Americans live it. And along with the right house in the right suburb goes status symbol number one the biggest most powerful fastest automobile to if possible.

Americans are having fun and uncontrollable pollution is one of the by products on a nationwide basis considering the pollutants carbon monoxide sulfur dioxide particulates matter and oxides of nitrogen along with hydrocarbons. We estimate that about 85 million tons come from transportation sources. By far the great majority of this in the form of carbon monoxide. That was Thomas F. Williams chief Office of Legislative and public affairs for the division of air pollution. US Department of Health Education and Welfare manufacturing contributes only the second largest amount of air pollution tonnage nationally. Twenty two million tons. California is Edmond Pat Brown as governor put it more forcefully. The evidence all points to the automobile as the largest single point of the year in this and many other states California and more especially Los Angeles County is almost entirely a car

economy. Other sources of air pollution have been brought under strict control but the car remains the number one problem. Ray Coates assistant executive officer of the California motor vehicle pollution control board explained in Los Angeles automobile accounts for approximately 90 percent of the small that we have in same Cisco it accounts for approximately 56 percent in Sacramento and San Diego. It's accounts for about 75 percent of the wood smog was coined by Los Angelenos to describe the air pollution problem that was originally uniquely theirs. Dr. A.J. Hagen Smith professor of biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology talks about the composition of this so-called photochemical smog. Smog is formed by has and several compounds. One of them. As hydrocarbons

and hydrocarbons present in gasoline topple their president Charles and then the other component of the smog is oxides of nitrogen. Now when those two things get together in the sunlight and then you get a small army. This type of smog is no longer merely a local California problem. It has been spread over the nation by a car crazed America until every major city and many not so major is experiencing its dulling unpleasant effects. In New York City perhaps the one city in the United States where most people don't own cars. New York state senator Whitney North Seymour Jr. emphasizes a city like New York about a third of our own. Coming from the automobile and in Chicago AJ Millan's Cook County Air Pollution Control office one of the contributors to air pollution in this

area in the vehicle miles traveled throughout the county in the late 1950s. California's auto smog problem in cities like Los Angeles had reached near disastrous proportions under Governor Brown the state began its campaign to conquer the automobile exhaust pollution. In 1959 a state Health Department study was undertaken which resulted in the states setting the first air quality standards in the country. Governor Brown speaking to the 1966 Air Pollution Control Association convention tells of the next step. Two years later with the statewide motor vehicle pollution control board directing the work. We had approved a crankcase device which became standard equipment on all you want immobile. So California in 1961. Now these systems eliminate about 25 percent of

pollution warming gases and a properly installed system will also keep an engine cleaner and increase gasoline mileage. Do you create cased devices traps. Some 300000 gallons of raw gasoline that once escaped into the year. Then we turn to the more difficult and the more crucial tasks of controlling exhaust gases. It has not been an easy job. What happened in California with regard to exhaust control was this. Now Rick Ovitz of the California state motor vehicle control board. Back in about 64 we did in 1964 we did approve for a muffler type devices to go on at the GO ON NEW AND USED cars. However the automobile industry did not look with favor on these systems.

So they came back to the state of California in the summer of 64 and said we will have our own systems we're working on the systems that we will have these in time for the 66 model cars we prefer that we have our own systems that we can warranty that we can stop a factory. All the research and work that was done on the on the muffler type assistance by outside companies really went down the drain but it is unfortunate but the state of California has to look at what is best for the people of California without regard necessarily to the investment by private industry. These problems in finding an inexpensive exhaust control device brought all kinds of political skullduggery charges the echoes of which still bounce around the California canyons today. Nevertheless the state finally straightened out its political maneuverings and rake over its sums up the resulting control legislation.

The New Cars are required to have both exhaust and crankcase control systems on them. Used cars are required to have crankcase controls only and this applies back to 1955 models in about 10 of our worst small counties. But only on transfer the vehicle that is from one moment to the other. This is the only requirement to present the new car exhaust devices have been in use for only one year now but already their smog reducing capabilities are being thankfully felt. Mr covets points out the face his bureau has. We are satisfied in your own mind that today's cars that are being sold in California are virtually smog free cars. We estimate that these ask and prayers are preventing the escape of 80000 gallons a day. I don't carbons in the atmosphere and I don't call it is just another term for your mixture. And probably hundred tons of carbon monoxide is being kept from the air every day

so this is a definite accomplishment and again we feel better if everyone in Los Angeles could drive a new vehicle. Today we could reduce the pollution in the air in Los Angeles by 70 percent not even in California however has been able to come up with an economically feasible and acceptable exhaust control device for used cars. The state legislature is attempting to coerce industry into inventing one by legislation says Governor Brown with perhaps understandable faith. We are absolutely certain that the ingenuity of American manufacturers which put a functioning camera on the moon again created a device that will build around smog. California has done something else in its anti smog effort that has not been duplicated anywhere else in the country. Robert Barsky of the Los Angeles Air Pollution Control

District tells how in cooperation with the petroleum industry they change the chemical makeup of the automotive gasoline sold in Los Angeles County. We propose that. Composition of gasoline be controlled which was a very radical proposal that was based upon some studies that we had which indicated that there was a relationship between eye irritation and the nature of gasoline that was put into an engine and that if you change the composition of the gasoline you could achieve a reduction in the eye or taking qualities of the exhaust that came out of the engine. So we propose that they change the composition composition of gasoline to reduce one particular kind of hydrocarbons that make up the gasoline color. All opens our EFI and apps. And we wanted to enact a rule that would limit how much they could have. The industry joined

with us in a study they concluded that we were right. The result of this joint project rise the industry came in and said yes we want to resist the rule and that when we appeared before the Board of Supervisors asking for enactment they stood up and said we can live with it and we'll do it. And therefore we had the rule with that without any big fight about it. And that rule is in effect in Los Angeles County the gasoline here is. Somewhat different than gasoline that's sold in other parts of the country and it must meet this particular requirement and we think it has a problem although a similar reduction of gasoline olefins throughout the country might help the growing smog problem in many cities there are now no plans afoot to act. Another area of control in which California has pioneered is that of Diesel's diesel trucks and vessels that do not contribute to the smog problem they contribute pollution break Ovitz. But pollution doesn't necessarily

become smog. However because most people do object to diesel smoke in order the state has very recently set an overall standard for diesels. We already have a diesel smoke standard and we are going to rest set our own criteria for testing controls for these and we think that we will have control of diesel smoking or very soon in 1965. The federal government after much deliberation and prodding wrote an amendment to its Clean Air Act. The ACT incorporates many of the California automotive smog controls and makes them nationwide and made the automobile the only source of air pollution given federal regulation. Again the health education and welfare departments Tom Williams the Clean Air Act amendment of 965. Related primarily to control of Motor Vehicles. As you know it calls for or enables the federal government to establish emission standards

for automobiles. Such standards have been promoted by the department with regard to hydrocarbons which are one of the main constituents in the formation of photochemical smog. And with regard to carbon monoxide which everyone knows is a lethal gas standards on all vehicles whether imported into this country are manufactured here will go into effect for the 968 model year. So far requiring exhaust devices on all nine hundred sixty eight cars and old a law requiring crankcase devices on new cars is about the extent of the federal government's controls. They have the authority to do more however. Most federal action now is in the research stage including the setting of diesel standards which the secretary of Health Education and Welfare can probably gate as soon as they are feasible. There's a great deal more to be done and at least one outstanding loophole to be

plugged in current control measures. Neither the model California laws nor the federal laws provide for motor vehicle inspection. The federal law leaves inspection up to the states. Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine head of the Senate Subcommittee on air and water pollution comments. The secretary should at the very least began to encourage the states to consider the inclusion. Inspection of air pollution control devices in their inspection programs. If you are not successful and if the states do not respond to such leadership as he provides to the urgency of the problem itself that it may be necessary for us to consider some means of providing federal inspection of motor vehicles so the inspection problem is as yet and I'm resolved. It is surprising from just a safety standard that California with its 10 million cars in freewheeling traffic flow has no inspection program.

Re covets goes into the reasons where inspection is required on this. We had this in the original Law and the law was changed. They're fair there is there is no inspection requirement to present. I will say that the the the highway patrol the California Highway Patrol is instituting a program of random roadside checks which vehicles will be pulled off the road and inspected for mechanical condition. And third are small devices if they're required to have them but they're not inspect them to see if they're operating properly anything anything of that nature because these patrolmen are not not technically trained. The push to control motor vehicle exhaust and make the internal combustion engine more efficient will certainly not end with the current devices and regulations. California still leading the way is ready to go further recalls its talks about the state's plans there been an annual inspection laws in

the California state legislature suggested for any number of years I think as far back as 10 years. But they never get out of committee. We have a strong opposition to these annual inspections both mechanical and small device inspection from from automobile clubs trucking associations and other type of military organizations who see this as some sort of encroachment on the murderous individual liberty. And we think it's going to take not only the present controls but stricter controls. And there are regulations in the federal government will require on 968 model cars. We are asking the federal government if we can go beyond their requirements. By 1970 we're going to we're going to require in 1970 a quicker mission level one alternative to the automotive traffic and facilities problem of most cities is the modern mass transit system.

The effectiveness of mass transportation will be dependent upon many factors. Chief among them direct federal subsidies to overburdened cities fast comfortable trains and a stupendous public education campaign. New York City's Mayor John Lindsay has been urging Washington to subsidize mass transit starting right in our largest city where the huge transit network is old dirty and terribly overcrowded. It requires complete rehabilitation and updating if it is to ever. Back to the car commuter as Malins he has emphasized many times a federal subsidies of a transit system would be very helpful and would assist in the overall reduction of pollutants being thrown up in the air simply because more people would ride subways and people would drive their automobiles. We're going to have to have mass rapid transportation in all the areas in the state of California. We're building a big one here in San Francisco. We got it off the ground in Los Angeles we have a transit

system in Stockton Los San Diego Marin County and San Mateo as California's Governor Brown has just said. Some of the state's cities finally putting in a transportation system. A prototype for Jet Age mass transit is the one now being built in San Francisco known familiarly and pridefully as Bart. It is the first subway to be built west of Chicago. George McDonald of Bart describes it. Bay Area Rapid Transit system is actually a new concept but in surface transportation. It's new because it's the first system that is designed to compete with a modern automobile. From the standpoint of writer comforts we will be able to slash typical existing home to work commute times by from one third to

one half the normal average speed will be about 50 miles an hour. Our trains are designed to go up to 80 and they will go up to 80 and with a minor design of the Asians we could approach the one hundred twenty five mile an hour speeds that the. Lines in Japan are now logging smog and its controls were very much part of the background of Bart continues Mr. McDonnell. The contribution of the brights system to the reduction of Smaug have been recognised from the start and in fact was one of the reasons why the voters and Doris the program some years ago the excellent thing about it is it's not getting at the problem from the reverse side it's looking a problem in the eye and in attempting to prevent it. These trains will be propelled by electrical energy. Highly sophisticated electric trains with no raised emission of any kind. The system is as we were constructing and

now will substantially reduce traffic congestion to the diversion of a considerable number of peak hour commuters at some of the key congestion points. The key gateways as we call them will divert as many as half of the people who are currently writing their cars. Bart is being paid for by a vote a bond issue separate US auto tolls and federal funds. Still another future development for cities being seriously considered is the return of the electric car. Around the turn of the century when it took muscles in durance and a high boiling point to crank up a gasoline car the electric car was the number one best seller. Even a delicate lady could just push a button and zoom off at an incredible four or five miles an hour. The electric Maurice was the first hostlers taxi in New York City and it

was a common sight in those days to see a cab recharging his battery by hitching on to the overhead trolley wires that criss cross the city. In the end the problem of constant recharging did the electric car in and it went out of commercial existence in 1038. However the cleanliness of the electric engine has always attracted imaginative people sick of choking on billowing gas exhaust fumes at every city stop like New York state senator Seymour is one of those people. I for one. Introduce legislation going to war. Some demonstration programs in experimentation and such things as alternative power sources for busses and delivery trucks and taxis. A new kind of electric battery powered vehicle is a feasible reality even now for city driving. There are electric powered buses which are ready for use and several companies have experimental cars. One of the

is the Electric Corporation the vehicle itself is a run off scene. Speaking is Lewis Hofstetter manager of industrial and commercial sales for Electric made by General Electric and driven by. Four. Ultra lightweight Yardley silver cell batteries complete battery installation that weighs less than 250 pounds. The car has a range a useful range of between 75 and 80 miles depending on the terror reign. Between charges. The speed the top speed is in the neighborhood of 60 miles an hour. Again depending somewhat on the number of passengers in the car and the nature of the terrain. However the acceleration is very great. We have actually pulled away with the front of Mustang had a traffic right and literally left it in the dust. Recently the Ford Motor Company announced it was readying a radically improved

experimental electric car and General Motors has taken newsman cruising in their experimental battery powered car there. This all brings to mind millions of Americans dutifully plugging in their cars every night and absent minded read when is calling in. Hysterically the next morning with a new excuse. Sorry boss I forgot to juice up the car last night. I can visualize drive in restaurants with plug in service and a switch in status symbol from how high octane gas a car uses to how much power it needs for recharging. There are many blue sky ideas floating around the engineering field that would supposedly Ridge's the inefficient internal combustion engine. Gas turbines fuel cells and of course atomic and electric power. Not likely however to be commercially feasible in the near future. I very research minded petroleum industry has no intention of letting gas go

down the drain as an automotive fuel. And there's another effect. Dr Hagen Smith one should not forget that the only reason all of these things. It's still a remarkable remarkable piece of equipment and this element. Do you think somebody outside. You know they're saying well we're going to have a new car and the engine and that guy has to grow some kind of problem and that. Oh that's right. So because we are so spoiled in the book because it does about everything that we wanted to do. You know we had a constitution and so I grew up w o the Westinghouse Broadcasting Company has presented the pollution explosion a 10 part study of

the increasing pollution of America's air and water. The series was produced by Robert Franklin written and recorded by Stephanie Shelton executive producer William J Taylor. Here again John Daly a concomitant of air and water pollution is solid waste. Everything from incinerate to ASH to wayside litter to automobile junkyard in many areas. The problem of what to do with all this burnable undeliverable material is overwhelming. In our next program we'll find out about the Solid Waste situation and discover if our cities of the future are destined to be buried under their waste. The ending on network cast presented this program in cooperation with a group w o the Westinghouse Broadcasting Company. This is the national education or radio network.