Photochemical oxidants, forest damage

Considering the rapid expansion of the regional air pollution problems in Europe during the later years, as examplified by the forest damage, the appearance of "red tide" in the North Sea, and the increasing mercury content of the freshwater fish, the development of EMEP has been slow. It is interesting to note that when the OECD project started in 1972, Canada participated as an observer, while the US EPA did not believe that acid precipitation would become a problem in North America as well. Similarly, the European countries did not think that photochemical oxidants would become a problem in Europe. There was not enough sunshine, they reasoned. 

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