Brian Barton
The Wasatch Front, a chain of cities and towns along the Wasatch mountain range in Utah, is a region that has been facing significant air quality challenges. A variety of pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, arsenic, zinc, and other metals, have been found in the air and dust in this region. The unique geography of the Wasatch Front, with its bowl-like structure, traps cold air and pollutants, leading to enhanced inversions and increased pollution levels. While there have been efforts to improve air quality and reduce emissions, the area still struggles with attaining healthy air quality standards, as designated by organizations like the EPA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollutants | Lead, arsenic, zinc, PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, ozone, fine particulate matter |
| Sources | Mobile sources (cars, semi-trucks, trains, buses, airplanes), area sources (homes, commercial buildings, construction, small industry), point sources (industrial and commercial sites), mining activities, pesticides, brake motors, dust from the Great Salt Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats, wildfires, winter inversions |
| Effects | Increased risk of blood clots, increased risk of head and neck cancer, inflammation in people with heart disease, asthma attacks, lung and nasal cancers, pulmonary inflammation |
| Status | Northern Wasatch Front is a moderate nonattainment area, Southern Wasatch Front and Uinta Basin are marginal nonattainment areas |
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Particulate matter (PM2.5)
In the Wasatch Front region of Utah, PM2.5 has been a persistent issue due to the unique geography of the area. The Wasatch Front consists of a chain of cities and towns located in a bowl-like valley surrounded by mountains on both sides. During cold winter days, air gets trapped at the bottom of the valley, leading to a buildup of PM2.5 and other pollutants. This phenomenon is known as an inversion, and it can result in unhealthy levels of PM2.5 accumulation.
The Wasatch Front, including areas such as Salt Lake City, Provo, and Logan, was designated as a nonattainment area for PM2.5 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006. This designation indicated that the air quality in these areas did not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5, with average 24-hour PM2.5 concentrations consistently exceeding the standard. However, in 2020, the EPA proposed to lift its oversight, stating that the Wasatch Front had achieved compliance with the PM2.5 standard. This decision was met with criticism from clean air advocates who argued that the PM2.5 standard should be lowered to better protect public health.
Despite the improvements in air quality, concerns remain about the impact of PM2.5 on the health of residents in the Wasatch Front region. Studies have shown that communities exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter are more likely to be affected by respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and are at an increased risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. Additionally, the rapidly growing population and industrial activities in the area continue to contribute to the emission of pollutants, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and efforts to reduce PM2.5 levels.
Overall, particulate matter (PM2.5) is a critical pollutant that has received significant attention in the Wasatch Front region due to its impact on air quality and public health. While there have been improvements in recent years, maintaining and further enhancing air quality in the area remains a crucial goal to protect the well-being of residents.
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Ozone
The Wasatch Front was required to attain the standard by August 3, 2021. The Southern Wasatch Front nonattainment area attained the standard, and the DAQ has initiated the process for redesignation to attainment for this area. The Northern Wasatch Front nonattainment area did not attain the standard by that date and was subsequently bumped up to moderate classification on November 7, 2022. As a result, Utah was required to develop and submit a moderate State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA by August 2023. This plan includes a description of how the state will reduce emissions to meet the air quality standard.
The Clean Air Act requires that NOx and VOC emissions be reduced by 9% from 2017 levels by 2026. This means that the State is aiming to reduce daily emissions by around 7.5 tons per day during the summertime ozone season. Many sources of pollution are already regulated through past SIPs and other rule-making efforts.
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Carbon monoxide
To protect residents, carbon monoxide alarms can be installed in homes to provide early warning of dangerous levels. Additionally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides information and recommendations to prevent and protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and symptoms associated with carbon monoxide exposure to seek immediate assistance if needed.
Overall, carbon monoxide is a significant pollutant in the Wasatch Front region, and proactive measures are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
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Sulphur dioxide
In the Wasatch Front area of Utah, sulfur dioxide levels have significantly decreased since the 1990s, with the majority of the decline occurring in the early to mid-1990s. This decrease is mainly attributed to the replacement of Kennecott Copper Corporation's reverberatory smelter with a newer and cleaner Noranda smelter, which utilizes the Flash Smelting Process. Since then, sulfur dioxide concentrations have remained relatively stable and well below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Despite the overall decline, short-term exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide can be life-threatening. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), exposure to 100,000 parts per billion (ppb) of sulfur dioxide poses an immediate danger to life and health. Long-term exposure to lower levels can also lead to adverse health effects, including lung function changes.
In addition to its direct impact on human health, sulfur dioxide plays a role in the formation of acid rain. It can be converted into gaseous sulfur trioxide and liquid sulfuric acid, which are key contributors to acid rain. Furthermore, sulfur dioxide can react with other components in the air to form particulate matter, primarily sulfate compounds.
To address the issue of sulfur dioxide pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established NAAQS for this pollutant. These standards set limits on the acceptable concentration of sulfur dioxide in the air. In 2005, requests were submitted to redesignate Salt Lake County and part of Tooele County in Utah as attainment areas for sulfur dioxide, indicating that these areas had met the NAAQS.
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Formaldehyde
A 2015 Special Toxic Study report revealed that formaldehyde concentrations in West Valley, Lindon, and Bountiful were above the ordinary exposure levels, which range from 0.3-3 parts per billion (ppb) for indoor settings and 10-20 ppb for urban areas. The study also noted that the number of leukemia cases in Utah, especially in Cache and Salt Lake counties, had been rising over the past five years. This is particularly concerning given that formaldehyde is a probable carcinogen.
The pollution problem is exacerbated during winter inversion, when normal atmospheric conditions are inverted, trapping a dense layer of cold air under warm air. The warm layer acts like a lid, trapping pollutants in the cold air near the valley floor. The Wasatch Front valleys and their surrounding mountains form a bowl-like shape, further containing the cold, polluted air in the valleys. Fog adds to the issue, facilitating chemical reactions that create even more particles and higher pollutant concentrations.
While the study highlights worrisome levels of formaldehyde, it is important to note that the DAQ has applied for funding to collect more detailed air quality data to pinpoint the sources of formaldehyde and address this issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Particulate matter (PM2.5) is the pollutant found most on the Wasatch Front. PM2.5 is a tiny suspended particle of air pollution that can penetrate deeply into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream.
The primary sources of PM2.5 on the Wasatch Front are mobile sources, including cars, semi-trucks, trains, buses, and airplanes. On-road mobile sources produce about 39% of the annual man-made pollution (NOx, PM2.5 exhaust, and VOC) along the Wasatch Front.
Exposure to PM2.5 can have significant health risks. It has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It can also cause inflammation in people with heart disease and trigger asthma attacks. Long-term exposure can affect both healthy individuals and those with chronic conditions.
