Two places in Utah with worse air than the Salt Lake Valley
For many of us in the Salt Lake Valley, it’s hard to imagine that there’s somewhere else in the state with worse air quality. Last year, eastern Utah’s Uintah and Duchesne counties recorded some of the worst air quality in the state.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported:
Healthnews looked at data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and applied a scoring system to poor air quality days to rank counties:
- One point for days categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups.
- Two points for days categorized as unhealthy for everyone..
- Three points for days categorized as very unhealthy.
- Four points for days categorized as hazardous.
Based on that criteria:
- Uintah County ranked fourth worst with a score of 61. The county experienced 16 days that were unhealthy for sensitive groups, 18 unhealthy days and three very unhealthy days.
- Duchesne County ranked sixth worst with a score of 47. The county experienced 22 days that were unhealthy for sensitive groups, 11 unhealthy days and one very unhealthy day.
- Salt Lake County tied with several other counties for 59th with a score of 17. The county experienced 15 days that were unhealthy for sensitive groups and one unhealthy day.
It’s important to remember that there is no safe level of air pollution. It has the potential to impact health even at low levels.
Despite the clear and growing threat of air pollution to public health, Utah’s state leadership continues to fall short in its efforts to reduce emissions. Instead of prioritizing cleaner air and investing in sustainable energy solutions, the state has funneled significant resources into bolstering fossil fuel industries. This approach not only perpetuates pollution but also undermines the progress needed to transition to cleaner energy sources. By continuing to support and expand fossil fuel infrastructure, Utah is jeopardizing the health of its residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. The state’s failure to take decisive action against pollution reflects a disregard for public health in favor of short-term economic gains for the fossil fuel industry.
In a state where public officials often don’t prioritize cutting emissions, reducing your own impact is crucial. The Salt Lake Valley is lucky enough to have TRAX to get around, helping residents reduce their footprint. Residents in counties with less robust public transportation can lobby their officials for more options, and try to carpool in the meantime. Lawn equipment has more of an impact than many realize, running a two-stroke gas-powered leaf blower for an hour can produce the same amount of air pollution as driving a car over 700 miles. The state has a program to help lawn care business convert to electric power.