试论进步时代美国的城市空气污染

19世纪90年代至一战前这一美国历史上的进步时代不仅是美国从农业社会迈入工业社会的大转折年代,同时也是城市空气污染问题开始凸显的时期。进步时代美国的城市空气污染主要源自19世纪下半叶工业化进程中的生产活动和人们不尽合理的生活方式。从结果来看,城市空气污染一方面直接影响和损害民众身体健康,另一方面也能成为引发其他问题的导火索,甚至激起剧烈的社会矛盾和冲突。可以说,城市空气污染问题是世纪之交美国社会自身运行状况的真实反映,同时也鲜明体现了美国社会的转型特性,对其进行研究或将助益于省思当下中国的城市空气污染问题。

On the Urban Air Pollution in the United States in an Progressive Era

The period from the 1890s to prel914 of the American history was a progressive era, not only because it was a turning point from the agricultural society to the industrial society, but also because highlighted the problem of urban air pollution. The pollution mainly came from the production activities of the industrialization and people＇s lifestyle which was unfriendly towards the environment. It had a direct impact and damage to public health on the one hand, and might also cause other problems and even social conflicts. The urban air pollution in the United States was a true reflection of the American society at the turn of century, and at the same time embodied the distinctive transformative characteristics. It will be helpful to tackle urban air pollution problem of contemporary China through it.