Before the Clean Air Act, which pollutant were boiler operations primarily concerned with?

The primary concern for boiler operations before the implementation of the Clean Air Act was sulfur dioxide. This pollutant is produced when fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil, are burned. These fuels contain sulfur impurities, and during combustion, sulfur reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide, which can have detrimental effects on air quality. This concern was magnified in areas with heavy industrial activity, where sulfur dioxide emissions contributed to acid rain and respiratory issues among the population.

The Clean Air Act aimed to reduce these emissions and improve air quality. Therefore, prior to the Act, the focus on sulfur dioxide was critical due to its recognized impact on both the environment and public health. Regulatory measures following the Act sought to limit sulfur emissions from boilers and other industrial sources, leading to advancements in emission control technologies.

While nitrogen oxides and particulate matter also pose significant environmental and health risks, the historical context of concerns surrounding regulatory practices emphasizes sulfur dioxide as the primary pollutant of interest in boiler operations before the Clean Air Act.