Why do we still live in Utah, knowing what we know about air quality and health?
A recent article in Utah News Dispatch highlights a difficult question many Utah families are beginning to ask: Should we stay? As air quality concerns grow and Great Salt Lake continues to decline, some families are deciding they can no longer wait for answers. One Orem family with children who have severe asthma recently made the decision to leave Utah, citing concerns about pollution, wildfire smoke, and toxic dust from the drying lakebed. “It’s our kids’ health. I just don’t want to roll the dice,” one parent explained as they prepared to move.
These concerns are not isolated. Research from Utah State University found that nearly a quarter of Utahns have considered risks tied to the Great Salt Lake in family planning, and 35% have thought about moving due to the lake’s decline. Experts warn that dust from the exposed lakebed may contain heavy metals and other contaminants, raising concerns about respiratory health, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term impacts – especially for children. As one researcher noted, “People are really concerned about health risks, particularly for children, people who are pregnant and impacts on fetal development.”
While state leaders claim action to address the lake’s decline, many experts say progress is still not enough. UPHE’s Dr. Brian Moench emphasized the potential risks, warning that “all the toxic byproducts of modern civilization are embedded in that dust.” Families are left weighing uncertainty against their health, hoping conditions improve but unsure how long they can wait. For many, the question is no longer hypothetical, it’s become deeply personal.
As UPHE told supporters at a recent event, we stay to fight for a livable future, because we love it here. Despite the many challenges, we believe in a cleaner, healthier future for all Utahns and are working hard to make it possible.
Utah News Dispatch article here.
Ways to reduce your risk and exposure to air pollution ↓