Air Quality
To see current air quality conditions in Utah, visit the
Utah Air Quality Index.
Air pollution refers to any biological, physical, or chemical particle that is in the air that
should not be there. Pollutants come from many human activities such as factories, power plants, dry
cleaners, cars, trains, airplanes, and buses. They can also come from environmental sources like
volcanic eruptions and windblown dust. Air quality measures how much pollution is in the air.
On average, adults breathe over 3,000 gallons of air each day; there is no way to avoid breathing.
If that air is contaminated, there is no way to avoid exposure to those pollutants. Furthermore, it
damages trees, crops, plants, animals, rivers, and lakes. This damages ecoystems and alters natural
processes. It can also damage buildings and statues. Because air is ubiquitous, poor air quality
affects everything around us.
Air pollution affects health in a number of ways. They range from coughing and shortness of breath
to exacerbating conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Air pollution has also been
linked to higher occurrence of heart attacks and strokes and low birth weight in infants. Two air
pollutants of particular concern are ozone and PM2.5.
Ozone: Ground-level ozone, not to be confused with the atmosphere's protective ozone layer, is created by reactions between environmental pollutants and light and heat. Ozone is the main component of smog and is dangerous to health and the environment. The creation of ozone is facilitated by warm weather and sunshine; therefore, ozone levels are usually higher in the summer and in the mid-afternoon.
PM2.5: "PM" stands for "particulate matter," which is a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. PM has many different components like acids, organic chemicals, metals, and soil. PM is measured in micrometers, so PM10 refers to particulate matter that is 10 micrometers long and PM2.5, 2.5 micrometers long. The important thing with PM is its size. The size of the particle is directly linked with their ability to harm human health; the smaller the particle, the easier it can pass through the nose and throat and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, PM can affect the heart and lungs, causing serious health consequences.
These and four other pollutants are categorized as the six "criteria pollutants" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To learn more, click the following links:
Ozone: Ground-level ozone, not to be confused with the atmosphere's protective ozone layer, is created by reactions between environmental pollutants and light and heat. Ozone is the main component of smog and is dangerous to health and the environment. The creation of ozone is facilitated by warm weather and sunshine; therefore, ozone levels are usually higher in the summer and in the mid-afternoon.
PM2.5: "PM" stands for "particulate matter," which is a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. PM has many different components like acids, organic chemicals, metals, and soil. PM is measured in micrometers, so PM10 refers to particulate matter that is 10 micrometers long and PM2.5, 2.5 micrometers long. The important thing with PM is its size. The size of the particle is directly linked with their ability to harm human health; the smaller the particle, the easier it can pass through the nose and throat and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, PM can affect the heart and lungs, causing serious health consequences.
These and four other pollutants are categorized as the six "criteria pollutants" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To learn more, click the following links:
Air pollution affects everyone, but certain people are more susceptible to its effects. Sensitive
populations include people with lung or heart issues, young children, and older adults.
Even though we may assume that our individual choices do not affect air quality, they do. Reducing
air pollution and improving air quality is everybody's responsibility:
For more suggestions, please visit these websites for more ideas:
- Conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when you're not using them
- Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminium cans
- Shop with a canvas bag and avoid using paper and plastic bags
- Plan your trips with your automobile
- Instead of using your car, use public transportation, ride a bike, or walk
For more suggestions, please visit these websites for more ideas:
- See how your choices make a difference in Utah's air quality - UCAIR Utah Clean Air Partnership
- Ways to Reduce Air Pollution - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Utah Environmental Public Health Tracking Network receives air quality data from the Air
Quality Division of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and from the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Find a comprehensive list of data tables, charts, and more detailed information
related to air quality on the Air Quality topic page of the Utah Environmental
Public Health Tracking web portal,
http://epht.health.utah.gov/epht-view/topic/AirQuality.html.
- Air Quality: Ozone
- Air Quality: Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
- Asthma-related Emergency Department (ED) Visits
- Carbon Monoxide Deaths
- Carbon Monoxide: Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits
- Carbon Monoxide: Poison Control Exposures
- COPD Hospitalizations and ED Visits
- Heart Attack: Hospitalizations
- Wildfires
Air Quality
Smoke Days from Wildfires
Air Quality Conditions
Resources
- UCAIR Utah Clean Air Partnership
- Air Pollution and Public Health in Utah - Utah Environmental Epidemiology Program
- The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Program Websites
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Air Quality home page
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Air Quality
