Published February 1971 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Plant Life Being Affected by Air Pollution Much of the current discussion about the adverse effects of air pollution deals specifically with injury to man's health; but another essential life form being damaged by polluted air is vegetation. Agricultural losses due to air pollution have been estimated at $500 million annually. But no true estimates have been made of real economic loss caused by suppression of growth, delayed maturity, reduction in yield, and the increased costs of crop production. The increasing Injury to plant life by unclean air is alarming, and goes much deeper than economic losses. Vegetation injury is a forewarning of air pollution problems that can affect man's ability to live on this planet. Scientists consider plants a sensitive indicator of airborne pollutants. For that reason, the National Air Pollution Control Administration is conducting studies to detect and evaluate the effects of toxicants upon plant life. Research thus far indicates gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, ethylene, chlorine, and PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) are known to damage vegetation. These gases destroy plant chlorophyll, disrupt the photosynthesis process, and reduce food production. In industrial areas where these gases are abundant, plant life is often exterminated. The results of air pollution are often gradual and not readily apparent. The plant's injury may show up as growth suppression, dwarfing, and early maturation. Some of the research conducted by the government has utilized plants themselves to measure the presence of pollutants in the air. One variety of tobacco has been used to detect ozone, pinto beans have discovered the presence of PAN, and gladioli have indicated fluoride accumulations. Dahlias, petunias, alfalfa, and cotton are good indicators of sulfur dioxide. The study of particular gases is complicated by the fact that pollutants may travel freely from their sources due to variations in wind speed and direction. Buildups of various chemicals in stagnant air masses have caused excess pollution in some areas, resulting in unusual injury to crops, trees, and property. Many of the most serious polluters have been identified, and their effects to plant life have been determined. Studies are also determining the effects of multiple pollutants. It is hoped that this research will find ways of protecting vegetation from the attack of toxic gases. But in the meantime, the growing loss of trees and crops represents a frightening indicator of further deterioration in our environment. FEB 17 1971