Complete Indicator Profile of Air Quality
Definition
Number of exceedences of primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) per year on six criteria pollutants for Utah.Numerator
Ozone: # of days in which ozone level was >0.12 parts per million (ppm) on any hour of the day, measured at all ozone stations in Utah. This will be replaced by a new standard in 2005 with a threshold level of 0.08 ppm averaged over an 8-hour period. We will continue to report the 1-hour standard for the number of exceedences, we do this in order to compare data with previous years.Particulate Matter: if annual mean of PM10 was >50 mcg per cubic meter. Measured at all PM stations in Utah.
Carbon Monoxide (CO): # of days in which CO level was 35 ppm (1-hour average), 9 ppm (8-hour average).
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): 0.053 ppm (annual mean).
Lead (Pb): 1.5 micro grams per cubic meter of air (quarterly mean).
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): 0.030 ppm (annual mean), 0.14 ppm (24-hour average).
Denominator
Not ApplicableData Interpretation Issues
Due to a lack of evidence linking health problems to long-term exposure to coarse particle pollution, the agency revoked the annual PM10 standard in 2006 (effective December 17, 2006).The number and location of monitoring stations across Utah changes over time in response to both scientific and political influences. Currently in 2006 there are 23 monitoring stations. Some stations measure several criteria pollutants and others are dedicated to a single pollutant. The monitor locations may be found at: http://www.airmonitoring.utah.gov
Why Is This Important?
Air quality plays a fundamental role in health and disease. Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide affect breathing and respiratory function. Existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease may be aggravated, the body's defense system against bacteria and viruses may be altered, and lung tissue may be damaged. Health threats are most serious for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease, asthma, emphysema, influenza, and bronchitis. Children and the elderly are also likely to be adversely affected by heavy concentrations of these pollutants.Healthy People 2010 Objective 8.1a:
Harmful air pollutants - Persons exposed to ozoneU.S. Target for 2010: 0%
Other Objectives
Utah's 42 Community Health IndicatorsHow Are We Doing?
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) - Kennecott Utah Copper's smelter, the largest source of sulfur dioxide emissions, has reduced emissions from more than 200,000 tons per year in the late 1970s to less than 20,000 tons per year since the early 1990s. In March 2006, both Salt Lake and Tooele counties received nonattainment designation for Sulfur Dioxide (SO2).Ozone Plan - Utah is in compliance with the 8-hour standard, based on a 3-year average of the 4th highest ozone concentration at each monitor. To complete the transition to the new ozone standard, the state of Utah must demonstrate that the Salt Lake/Davis County ozone maintenance area will continue to maintain the new 8-hour ozone standard for the next 10 years.
We will continue to report the 1-hour ozone standard for the number of exceedences, we do this in order to compare the data with previous years. The new standard is violated when the 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentrations measured at each monitor within an area over each year exceeds 0.08 ppm. Utah is in compliance with this new standard.
How Do We Compare With U.S.?
Air quality is a serious health concern for the United States and for Utah. Despite its large land area, Utah's population is very highly concentrated in urban areas. Along the Wasatch Front, 60% of particulate matter and 70% of carbon monoxide emissions come from vehicles.What Is Being Done?
Cache Valley Particulate Studies - In 2004 DAQ, in cooperation with Utah State University (USU) and the state of Idaho, began particulate studies for Logan and the surrounding Cache Valley area. These studies will help to determine what control measures can be implemented to reduce particulate concentrations.The I/M (Motor Vehicle Inspection/Maintenance) programs in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties facilitate proper maintenance of cars and trucks to reduce emissions.
A variety of regulatory controls on industrial sources reduce particulate emissions.
The "Red Light, Green Light" program restrictions reduce pollutants from wood burning during wintertime inversions.
Voluntary no-drive days are implemented when pollution increases.
During the last several years, the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP) has forged a plan to reduce man-made haze. The locations of greatest concern for our state are places known for their scenic vistas: Grand Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Canyonlands National Park.
The principal focus of WRAP's effort so far has been on reducing emissions from coal-fired utilities, vehicles, and manmade fires. These anticipated reductions, as well as steps to meet more stringent health-based air quality standards, should reduce haze in urban and rural, scenic areas.
Available Services
Hotline for Salt Lake and Davis counties: (801) 975-4009Hotline for Weber, Utah, and Cache counties: 1-800-228-5434
More Information
You can find historical EPA data for Utah by going to www.airmonitoring.utah.gov/dataarchive and also view annual reports at http://www.airquality.utah.gov.Go to www.deq.utah.gov for the Department of Environmental Quality Web site.
Other Program Information
The Utah Division of Air Quality has an excellent and informative website at www.airquality.utah.gov. EPA data can be accessed through the UDAQ website by going to www.airmonitoring.utah.gov.Related Indicators
Related IBIS-PH Indicator Profile Links for Relevant Population Characteristics:
Related IBIS-PH Indicator Profile Links for Health Care System Factors:
Risk Factors
The Utah Division of Air Quality issues health advisories whenever pollution increases to levels of concern as determined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria. Health advisories are most critical for people with respiratory and heart diseases, the elderly, and children. When a health advisory is issued, they should limit outdoor exertion whenever possible.Related IBIS-PH Indicator Profile Links for Risk Factors:
- Ambulatory Care Sensitive Condition: Risk-adjusted Rate for Bacterial Pneumonia Hospital Discharges Among Adult Utahns
- Coronary Heart Disease Deaths
Health Status Outcomes
Fine particles such as those in soot and dust can become lodged in delicate lung tissue, decreasing lung function, a particularly hazardous situation for people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.Whenever pollution levels, measured by the amount of particulates in the air, reach a specific concentration, mandatory no-burn periods go into effect.
Related IBIS-PH Indicator Profile Links for Health Status Outcomes:
- Ambulatory Care Sensitive Condition: Risk-adjusted Rate for Bacterial Pneumonia Hospital Discharges Among Adult Utahns
- Coronary Heart Disease Deaths
Graphical Data Views
Number of Exceedences per Year, Utah, 1996-2006
| Ozone, Lead, CO, NO2, PM, SO2 | Year | Number of Exceedences |
|---|---|---|
| Ozone | 1996 | 3 |
| Ozone | 1997 | 0 |
| Ozone | 1998 | 4 |
| Ozone | 1999 | 1 |
| Ozone | 2000 | 0 |
| Ozone | 2001 | 1 |
| Ozone | 2002 | 0 |
| Ozone | 2003 | 0 |
| Ozone | 2004 | 0 |
| Ozone | 2005 | 5 |
| Ozone | 2006 | 2 |
| Lead | 1996 | 0 |
| Lead | 1997 | 0 |
| Lead | 1998 | 0 |
| Lead | 1999 | 0 |
| Lead | 2000 | 0 |
| Lead | 2001 | 0 |
| Lead | 2002 | 0 |
| Lead | 2003 | 0 |
| Lead | 2004 | 0 |
| Lead | 2005 | 0 |
| Lead | 2006 | 0 |
| CO | 1996 | 0 |
| CO | 1997 | 0 |
| CO | 1998 | 0 |
| CO | 1999 | 0 |
| CO | 2000 | 0 |
| CO | 2001 | 0 |
| CO | 2002 | 0 |
| CO | 2003 | 0 |
| CO | 2004 | 0 |
| CO | 2005 | 0 |
| CO | 2006 | 0 |
| NO2 | 1996 | 0 |
| NO2 | 1997 | 0 |
| NO2 | 1998 | 0 |
| NO2 | 1999 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2000 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2001 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2002 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2003 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2004 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2005 | 0 |
| NO2 | 2006 | 0 |
| PM | 1996 | 2 |
| PM | 1997 | 0 |
| PM | 1998 | 0 |
| PM | 1999 | 0 |
| PM | 2000 | 0 |
| PM | 2001 | 0 |
| PM | 2002 | 0 |
| PM | 2003 | 0 |
| PM | 2004 | 0 |
| PM | 2005 | 0 |
| PM | 2006 | 1 |
| SO2 | 1996 | 0 |
| SO2 | 1997 | 0 |
| SO2 | 1998 | 0 |
| SO2 | 1999 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2000 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2001 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2002 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2003 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2004 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2005 | 0 |
| SO2 | 2006 | 0 |
Record Count: 66
Data Notes
Criteria Pollutants: Ozone (O3), PM10 (Particulate Matter), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Lead (Pb), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). An "exceedence" is a time period in which the air content exceeded the EPA criterion for that pollutant as measured by any of Utah's air monitoring stations.Data Sources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air and Radiation, AIRS data;
Page Content Updated On 11/05/07,
Published on 11/06/07
