Utahns find relief from the smog a few thousand feet up


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SALT LAKE COUNTY — Smog intensifies on the Wasatch Front and a cloud of pollution has developed since the storm last week.

According to the monitor in Herriman, Salt Lake County is witnessing a pollution trend that is settling in the moderately unhealthy range while Cache County is experiencing even unhealthier levels where the pollution has steadily intensified.

Dr. Brian Moench with Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment says even short-lived smog events can damage our health.

"Every bit of air pollution has a health impact. So, even when it doesn't look that bad, we know that we got pollution in the atmosphere and it's having a health impact,” Moench said.

He also suggests doing three key things to avoid the damaging effects of smog including avoiding wood smoke, limiting exposure to vehicle exhaust and industrial pollution and using public transportation while pushing for new transportation options.

There are others, however, who are taking a different approach. Those who were sick of living under the smog for the past several days found an escape a few thousand feet up.

Snowbird had a steady stream of skiers and snowboarders in search of bright blue skies Monday and families took their kids up the mountain as well.

After a few hours in the fresh air, they weren't wild about heading back down into the valley.

“It's kind of funny. It's like a lid right on top of the valley. It's gross. It's kind of depressing that we have to go back in there,” said snowboarder Carrie Brinton.

Luckily for Utah residents, however, a coming storm may soon clear the air.

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Jed Boal and Sean Moody

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