However , the worst pollution was coal dust and smoke , for which St. Louis was infamous by the 1890s .
Brick firing produced particulate air pollution and paint making created lead dust , while beer and liquor brewing produced grain swill .
The worst pollution was coal dust and smoke , for which St. Louis was infamous by the 1890s .
Brick firing produced particulate air pollution and paint making created lead dust , while beer and liquor brewing produced grain swill .