Where To Stream American Experience Season 37 Episode 4
Clearing the Air The War on Smog
- Aired August 26, 2025
- 60 Min
- Rated 9.0
- Number 62 Of 108 Rated Episodes
In July 1943, dark, smoky clouds suddenly descended over Los Angeles, causing residents to complain of burning eyes, nausea, and difficulty breathing. People couldn't see across the street and visibility was so bad that cars crashed. With World War II raging, many feared a chemical attack by the Japanese, but it soon became evident that no foreign enemy was to blame. The waves of pollution called "smog" — a combination of "smoke" and "fog" — continued and the cause remained a mystery. It was...