Worst air in the country
This week’s inversion made us home to the worst air in the country. The Salt Lake Tribune uses the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s coding system, which marked the air quality “orange.” Orange is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Although, one look outside this week and most people could deduce that this air is not healthy for anyone.
If you’re feeling the effects of the aggravated pollution levels, we have a few tips that may help. Pollution causes an inflammatory reaction in your body, so eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce the impacts. Anti-inflammatory foods include olive oil, berries, avocados, green tea and tomatoes. You should avoid red meat, processed meats like hot dogs and fried foods.
We’re big advocates of having a HEPA air purifier in your home. As they can be pricey, there is a cheaper alternative which involves taping a MERV-16 filter to the back of a box fan.
We also recommend avoiding exercising outside. Inversions are good times to get an in-home or gym workout in.
To reduce your impact to the air pollution, we recommend avoiding driving as much as possible, even if you have an electric vehicle because they still produce non-tail pipe particulate pollution. Avoid heavily trafficked road,and rush hour if you do have to use your vehicle. Try to cook your meals in a crock-pot or some other way that doesn’t use your oven or stove.
There are no safe levels of air pollution. The Utah legislative session begins in just a few weeks, January 16th. We hope this air quality is at the forefront of their minds as they pass bills this session. You can find your representative’s contact information her.
Find the Salt Lake Tribune’s coverage of the inversion here.
