This report has documented the Thanksgiving 1966 Air Pollution Episode in the Eastern United States in terms of the daily meteorology and ambient air quality. Analysis of the available air quality data indicates that the Air Pollution Potential Forecast Program (APPF) of the Public Health Service and the Weather Bureau did effectively forecast the stagnation. The increase in levels of the pollutants during the same period is indicative of stagnation regardless of the city considered. Advance warning is a necessary step to effective control. To effectively use APPF, municipalities must reduce emissions of air pollutants until meteorological conditions change to provide better ventilation for the affected areas. Monitoring and forecasting at local levels to augment the APPF is also needed. A period of restricted natural ventilation on November 17 covered a small area and was short in duration, precluding it from generating an air pollution potential advisory. However, air quality did deteriorate significantly during this period; pollutant levels recorded in some cities approximated peak concentrations during the subsequent episode. (Author)

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