Yokkaichi Asthma : sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide (1961)

Yokkaichi Asthma occurs in Yokkaichi city in Mie Prefecture, in Japan between 1960 and 1972. Burning crude oil and release of large amounts of sulfur oxides that cause severe smoke, so that severe cases such as chronic obstructive paru2 disease, chronic bronchitis, and bronchial asthma diidap among the local population. main source of sulfur oxides pollution from petrochemical processing facilities and oil refineries built in the area between 1957 and 1973.


Initial efforts to resolve the problem by raising the chimney height to spread of pollutants over a wider area proved to be ineffective. Flue gas desulfurization finally implemented on a large scale, causing the local population health improvement.