Mesuse Valley Incident (Summary)

Meuse Valley Incident was the first incident related to air pollution. It was the proof that
atmospheric disasters are capable of causing disastrous effects on human beings and the
surrounding environment. The incident occurred on December 2th, 1930 and continued for 4 days
and ended on December 5th, 1930 in the area of Liege near Meuse River, Belgium.
A large amount of fog took over the area of Liege. It was heavily industrialized area of
continental Europe, with steel works, zinc smelters, glass manufacturers, fertilizers and
explosives. The weather was characterized by anticyclonic conditions with high atmospheric
pressures and wind blew at a rate of 1-3 km/h. The temperature dropped down to 1 oC and caused
a persistent fog. However, a temperature inversion above the tallest chimneys in the valley i.e.
70-80 m above ground did not allowed the fumes to disperse in the environment. Thus it allowed
accumulation of emitted gases and impurities above the valley and the density of fog increased.
Analysis of fumes, gases and dusts released by the plants of the area showed that 30 substances
were released by 27 factories. The pollutants released were particulate matter, Sulphur dioxide
and hydrofluoric acid. The concentration of HF was considered to be 0-4 mg/l for whole valley
while the concentration of SO2 was 100 mg/l after 4 days of fog. HF was not the major pollutant
which was cause of Meuse Valley Incident. However the concentration of SO 2 exceeded the
threshold value i.e. 20-30 mg/l. Growing industrialization and overpopulation had increased the
concentration of SO2 in the area. In a nut shell, the disaster occurred due to SO 2 and PM. The
accumulation of these gases was due to narrow topography and over population of Meuse Valley.
The incident caused 60 deaths were recorded from a town of 3500 people, 56 in East half of the
valley and 4 west of Engis. The average age of people who died was 62 years. Ages of people
who died ranged between 20-89 years. The death rate was 10.5 times the normal rate. The cases
of illness began on December 3, after the mist had lasted about 2 days. The community that was
mostly affected were people who remained indoor, were old and that were having asthmatic and
other cardiovascular diseases. Children were described as being indisposed and a few were
seriously affected, though none died. There were also respiratory problems in cattle.
Common effects were nausea & vomiting while major effects were poor visibility, Laryngeal
irritation, Retrosternal pain, Coughing fits, Dyspnoeic breathing characterized by paroxysms &
slowed expiration like asthama, Pulmonary oedema such as cyanosis, rapid breathing & even
frothy sputum. Ten necropsies were done that showed respiratory tract alterations only. The
results of necropsies showed that there was: Congestion of tracheal mucosa and large bronchisometimes with an exudate of mucus and fibrin and area of epithelial loss, capillary dilatation of
the dermis and a slight leucocyte exudate, in lung parenchyma, there were foci of haemorrhage
next to areas of moderate oedema and desquamations of alveolar epithelium, pure carbon dust
particles of 0.5-1.35 m diameter were seen free within the alveoli or engulfed in polynuclear
leucocyates. Investigators concluded that the signs and symptoms were entirely and solely due to
a local irritant action towards the mucosae directly exposed to the outside air. In addition, there
was coughing, with expectoration, which at first was sometimes frothy, afterwards viscous and
slimy. Cattle became sick in the byres, with the following symptoms: increased and superficial
respiration, uneasiness, acute emphysema, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, sometimes death.

One important fact is that no further deaths occurred as soon as the fog lifted, and that the
survivors recovered very quickly in the course of a few days.
After the Meuse disaster, the government appointed another commission, headed by Viscount
Berryer to assess the legislation with respect to industrial air pollution and to propose
improvements. This commission concluded that a central office should grant industrial
exploitation permits rather than local authorities. No other measures were taken as Air Pollution
was considered as unavoidable consequence of prosperity. It was also recommended to control
air pollution by adopting British. A statue and plaque commemorating those who died was
inaugurated in Engis on 2 December 2000.