Dec. 10, 1962 - President Kennedy warned today that the growing peril of nationwide air pollution poses a hazard to the health of millions of Americans. His message, which also warned that foul air threatens “the economic vitality” of this country, was delivered to the National Conference on Air Pollution in conjunction with an administration report linking smog to respiratory diseases. In that report, Dr. Luther Terry, U.S. surgeon general, declared there is now unmistakable evidence “that air pollution is associated with important respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.” Air pollution, President Kennedy charged today, causes extensive damage through corrosion and soiling of materials, depreciation of property values, and interference with air and ground transportation.
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