Helena Joyce
Salt Lake City's air quality is affected by a combination of natural phenomena and human activity. The unique geography of the Wasatch Front, coupled with temperature inversions, traps cold air and doubles the particulate pollution in the Salt Lake Valley. Climate change, rapid population growth, and industrial and commercial emissions contribute to the city's poor air quality. As the Great Salt Lake dries up, exposing more of its playa, concerns arise about the potential for harmful dust pollution. Researchers are studying the impact of these pollutants on the ecosystem and populated areas, with initial findings suggesting a significant threat to air quality and public health.
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What You'll Learn
Dust pollution from the lakebed
As Utah's Great Salt Lake shrinks, exposing more of its lakebed, concerns are growing about the dust it emits. While scientists lack the data to fully understand what pollutants are present in these airborne sediments, initial findings are concerning. The sediments, when aerosolized, show higher levels of reactivity and bioavailability compared to sediments collected from other spots upwind of Utah's major population centres.
The Great Salt Lake is a terminal body of water that receives runoff from a vast drainage basin spanning northern Utah and parts of three other states. Metals from natural sources and human disturbances are pushed into the lake from inflows or atmospheric deposition, and these materials accumulate in the lakebed. As the lake shrinks, the potential for harmful dust pollution increases. This has become a priority for Utah state officials, who have issued a list of priorities aimed at tackling the problem.
In recent years, research has identified hotspots on the lakebed that appear to be enriched with potentially toxic elements. Only about 9% of the exposed lakebed is emitting dust from areas where lakebed crusts are disturbed, with the rest covered by a natural hardened layer that keeps the sediments in place. However, human activity, such as illegal motor vehicle riding on the exposed lakebed, can break this crust, allowing dust to blow freely in the wind.
The dust from the lakebed is a problem because it can raise particulate matter levels, and these fine particles can be blown into populated areas, impacting the health of those who breathe them in. While the health implications of blowing lakebed dust are not yet fully understood, scientists and health experts agree that it is not beneficial for human health. The Great Salt Lake now generates around 15 dust events a year, and the exposed lakebed is very large, making it challenging to monitor and mitigate the dust pollution.
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Temperature inversions
During these inversions, pollutants from vehicles, wood burning, area sources, and industry become trapped near the ground, leading to poor air quality. The longer the inversion lasts, the more PM2.5 concentrations build up, reaching unhealthy levels. Utah's unique topography, geography, and meteorology contribute to the buildup of fine particulates during inversions, but PM2.5 emissions and their chemical precursors are the primary causes of these pollution episodes.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) advises reducing vehicle use during inversion events by consolidating trips, carpooling, or using public transit. Places at higher elevations, such as Park City and Heber, are usually above the inversion and have better air quality. Ski resorts in Utah, such as Alta and Brighton, are also at higher altitudes and offer clear air during inversion episodes.
While temperature inversions primarily occur during the winter, Salt Lake City also faces air quality challenges in the summer. In the warmer months, pollution from vehicles, industry, and chemical products, combined with high temperatures and bright sunshine, lead to harmful ozone levels.
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Vehicle emissions
Motor vehicles are responsible for over 70% of air pollution that affects human health. While vehicles that are functioning properly emit very low levels of pollutants, a malfunctioning vehicle can emit up to 100 times more pollution. Salt Lake City has higher per-vehicle carbon monoxide emissions than Los Angeles, and its air quality is worse than Denver's, primarily due to vehicle emissions.
In recent years, there has been a transition to cleaner vehicles and Tier 3 fuel, which has helped to reduce mobile source emissions. However, as of 2023, the 2.4 million people living along Utah's Wasatch Front continue to experience severe winter particulate matter air pollution. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that emissions from a single source, a magnesium refinery, contribute significantly to the fine particles that form the dense winter brown clouds over Salt Lake City.
To address vehicle emissions and improve air quality, Salt Lake County has implemented a Vehicle Emissions Program. This program includes emissions testing for vehicles, with specific requirements for diesel vehicles and vintage vehicles. Failing vehicles cannot be registered until they are properly repaired and pass the emissions test. The program also offers a Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program for those who qualify.
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Industrial emissions
Salt Lake City faces significant air quality challenges throughout the year. In the winter, the unique geography of the Wasatch Front leads to temperature inversions that trap cold air under a layer of warm air, causing particulate pollution to double daily. This affects the 2.4 million people living in the area, who experience severe winter particulate matter pollution.
One notable example is the US Magnesium refinery, which has been found to contribute up to 25% of the Wasatch Front's pollution. Aircraft observations have detected extreme levels of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and dihalogens like chlorine (Cl2) and bromine (Br2) in an industrial plume near the Great Salt Lake. These emissions deplete ozone (O3) levels and increase particulate matter (PM2.5), affecting populated regions within the Great Salt Lake Basin.
In addition to industrial emissions, the shrinking of the Great Salt Lake has raised concerns about dust pollution from the exposed lakebed. While natural processes contribute to the accumulation of metals in the lakebed, human disturbances, such as industrial activities, also play a role. The dust emitted from the exposed playa may contain potentially toxic elements, and research is ongoing to understand the health risks associated with this dust and its impact on nearby communities.
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Wildfires
In recent years, Salt Lake City's air quality has worsened due to the increasing number of wildfires. From 2019 to 2021, the city experienced an 18.1% increase in PM2.5 levels, with the air quality exceeding the WHO annual limits on more than a third of the days during this period. The PM2.5 concentration in Salt Lake City is currently 1.1 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value. These fine particles, smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, can have harmful health effects, including increased blood pressure, inflammation, and higher rates of heart attacks and strokes.
The impact of wildfire smoke on air quality is evident in the health forecasts and action forecasts provided by the Utah DEQ. During periods of high pollution, individuals are advised to minimise physical exertion and outdoor activity, especially those with existing heart or respiratory conditions. The health forecast helps residents plan their physical activities to reduce the pollution's effects on their health. The action forecast notifies the public of mandatory actions, such as carpooling, to reduce pollution levels.
The University of Washington study found a strong link between air pollution from wildfire smoke and dementia. The study analysed the healthcare records of 1.2 million Southern California residents and their exposure to wildfire smoke. The findings highlight the severe health risks associated with even a few days of severe wildfire smoke exposure, underscoring the urgent need for global climate change solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The unique geography of the Wasatch Front in Salt Lake City causes temperature inversions in winter, trapping cold air under a layer of warm air. This acts as a "lid" on the valley, causing particulate pollution to double each day. In summer, pollution from cars, industry, and chemical products, combined with high temperatures and sunshine, lead to harmful ozone levels.
Poor air quality has been linked to severe health issues in Salt Lake City, including respiratory problems, pneumonia, blood vessel damage, and increased school absences during pollution episodes. In 2014, emergency room respiratory-related visits increased by 40% during such episodes.
Salt Lake City is taking action to support air quality and reduce pollution, including implementing internal operations and creating external policies and programs. There are also restrictions on burning wood fires, with fines starting at $150 for the first offence.
Climate change and rapid population growth are causing the Great Salt Lake to shrink, exposing more of its playa and dried lake bed. This increases the potential for harmful dust pollution, as metals and toxic elements from the lakebed can be kicked up into the air.
Individuals can contribute to reducing pollution by using cars less, carpooling, taking public transit, reducing vehicle idling, using newer and clean fuel vehicles, and combining trips. Conserving water can also help, as sending less water from melting snowpack to homes and businesses can help maintain the water levels in the Great Salt Lake.
