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American Experience Season 37 Episode 4

Episode Title: Clearing the Air: The War on Smog
Countries: ,
Airing Date: August 26, 2025
Runtime:60 mins
IMDb Rating:

You can now watch the entire American Experience Season 37 Episode 4 movie online in high-definition quality, complete with English subtitles for a better viewing experience. Best of all, there’s no need to download anything—simply stream it directly from your device anytime, anywhere.

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 the beginning of an epic struggle for clean air involving years of scientific investigation and civic pressure, bringing together people across ideological divides in a remarkable example of bipartisanship. Their work would lead to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air Act, which have had an enduring effect on the quality of air Americans breathe.