Guide to the Allegheny County, Pa. Health Department, Bureau of Air Pollution Control Records, 1941-1978 AIS.1980.07
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Allegheny County, Pa. Health Department, Bureau of Air Pollution Control Records
Creator
Allegheny County (Pa.). Bureau of Air Pollution Control
Collection Number
AIS.1980.07
Extent
1.68 Linear Feet(4 boxes)
Date
1941-1978
Abstract
The Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control Records contains materials related to smoke control and air pollution. It includes minutes of the County Smoke Control Advisory Committee; annual reports and ordinances for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County; research, studies and informational reports from Pittsburgh Bureau of Smoke Prevention, County Bureau of Air Pollution Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other organizations on pollution concerns.
Language
English
.
Author
Bryce R. Henry.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Acquisition Information
Gift of Howard Weisz on April 28, 1980.
History
In 1941 Pittsburgh instituted its first smoke control ordinance and established the Bureau of Smoke Prevention, under the city's Department of Health, in order to collect data and administer the new law. In 1949, Allegheny County passed its first smoke control ordinance and simultaneously established its own smoke control agency, the Bureau of Air Pollution Control (alternately called the Bureau of Smoke Control). Both the city and the county continued to act separately until the county took full responsibility in 1957.
In 1947, the Board of County Commissioners appointed a Smoke Abatement Advisory Committee of seventeen citizens under the chairmanship of Dr. Edward R. Weidlein, Director of the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. This committee was charged with the duty of drawing up an ordinance which would be applicable to the conditions existing in the County. After the enactment of this ordinance in 1949, the Bureau of Air Pollution was formed under the jurisdiction of the County Health Department. In addition, a permanent advisory committee was established and renamed the Smoke Control Advisory Committee. The advisory committee, composed of scientists, economists, and industry leaders, has played an important role in smoke control in Pittsburgh.
Over the years, the Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control has become increasingly sophisticated in its collection of data and research methods. Additional, more stringent ordinances have been passed and licensing and fee collection systems have been put into practice. Thirty-four research reports, prepared by the Bureau's directors and staff members, are included in this collection.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Katie Kirwan in August 1980.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Scope and Content Notes
The Bureau of Air Pollution Control Records span the years 1941-1978. Minutes and organizational charts trace the bureaucratic history (1947-1954) of Allegheny County's Smoke Control Advisory Committee. There are annual reports from the Advisory Steel Research Subcommittee of County Bureau of Air Pollution Control (1960-1969) as well as annual reports covering smoke control for the city and county (1941-1969). Also collected are various city and county ordinance, rules, and regulations dealing with air pollution (1946-1978). Finally, there are several reports done by the county's Bureau of Air Pollution Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and by external researchers on subjects related to air pollution control.
Previous Citation
Allegheny County, Pa. Health Department. Bureau of Air Pollution Control Records, 1941-1978, AIS.1980.04, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Allegheny County, Pa. Health Department. Bureau of Air Pollution Control Records, 1941-1978, AIS.1980.04, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Accruals
An addition of five folders was accrued in 1984. The material dates from 1949-1965 and is located at the end of Box 4. The files include correspondence; personnel rosters; reports; salary information; and speeches.
Related Material
Allegheny County Air Pollution Advisory Committee Records, 1959-1986, AIS.1992.03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Subjects
Corporate Names
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Pittsburgh (Pa.). Bureau of Smoke Prevention
Allegheny County (Pa.). Health Department
Allegheny County (Pa.). Smoke Control Advisory Committee
Allegheny County (Pa.). Bureau of Air Pollution Control
Personal Names
Wurts, Thomas C.
Schreibeis, Lee
Geographic Names
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Allegheny County (Pa.)
Genres
Speeches
Correspondence
Reports
Minutes (Administrative records)
Other Subjects
Smoke prevention -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
Air -- Pollution -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
Reddit
Twitter
Facebook