Photos of Smog during the Early 1970s in America:The Documerica Project at the EPA

These and many other photographs were taken by EPA photographers during the early to mid-1970s and illustrate the nature of the smog problem that was a part of American urban life at that time.  We think of smog as something that afflicted California; but as these photographs attest, it was a widespread urban problem that affected the health of Americans in New York City and New Jersey; Birmingham Alabama, Cincinnati, and many other highly dense and industrialized urban areas.  We have coma along way since the early 1970s in terms of air quality, as automobile engines have become far cleaner and more efficient.

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE IN HEAVY SMOG. VIEW TOWARD THE NEW JERSEY SIDE OF THE HUDSON RIVER, 05/1973

SMOG OVER BOSTON, 1:15 A.M., AT THE JUNCTION OF MORISSEY BOULEVARD AND THE SOUTHEAST EXPRESSWAY, 03/1973

SMOG OBSCURES BIRMINGHAM'S SKYLINE. THE CITY'S ABUNDANCE OF COAL, IRON ORE AND LIMESTONE SUPPORTS U.S. STEEL'S TWO FURNACES AND SUCH HEAVY INDUSTRY AS PIPE, MACHINERY AND FREIGHT CAR PRODUCTION, 07/1972

SUNSET AND SMOG, 05/1972

SUNSET SEEN THROUGH HEAVY SMOG, 05/1972

SMOG COVERS TACOMA, OBSCURING THE FOOTHILLS BELOW MOUNT RAINIER, 06/1973