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SALT LAKE CITY — The sky is clear and the inversion is long gone, but air pollution is still a big problem for Northern Utah.
During the summer, Utah's ozone levels can be as harmful to people's health as the particulate matter that makes up winter inversions. That pollution was the topic of several rallies for cleaner air in Utah.
Air pollution in Northern Utah has been reported as some of the worst in the nation for several years. The Utah Clean Air Partnership has been a government entity, but Tuesday it was made a non-profit, independent organization Tuesday to reduce Utah's pollution.
"It's a great time for a new beginning because everybody is paying attention, we hope," said Executive Director of UCAIR Shawni McAllister.
Drive less
- Carpool, use mass transit, walk, and ride a bike
- Combine errands into one trip and park in a central place
- Walk to lunch or pack a lunch for work
Drive smarter
- Maintain your vehicle: check the air filter, fluids, tire inflation regularly
- Avoid idling, including during your commute. Check traffic reports and take the route with the fewest delays.
- Obey the speed limit and accelerate gradually
At home
- Buy with caution: buy nontoxic and avoid consumer sprays. Make your own natural cleaning product.
- Store and dispose of hazardous materials properly
- Conserve energy and buy Energy Star products
Use a little elbow grease instead of power tools
At work
- Telecommute once a week
- Shift your commute from peak hours
- Buy less or nontoxic materials, and store them properly in airtight containers
- Wait to paint on low pollution days
More information HERE.
McAllister is the new executive director of the statewide clean air initiative, which works to educate and inform Utahns about clean air choices. The idea is to empower all individuals, businesses and communities to take a closer look at the things they do that cause pollution, and encourage them to take positive steps.
"It's the little changes that make the big difference. There are so many things that all of us can do," McAllister said.
Most of us know that our cars emit more than half of all pollution, so reducing trips makes a big difference, especially when the heat intensifies. Before you drive, McAllister advises that you check the air conditions, too.
"When we see those stagnant summer days, with bright sunshine, clear skies, that's the perfect recipe to heat those emissions that we produce on a daily basis, and form that ground-level ozone," said Bryce Bird, director of Utah Division of Air Quality. "One gas tank isn't a lot, but when we get 10,000 or 100,000, it really does add up quickly and does cause a major portion of our problems here."
Also, watch that gasoline when you fill up. One ounce of spilled gasoline puts out as many pollutants as driving 60 miles in your car.
Besides changing driving habits, the division suggests reducing the volatile organic compounds around your home. Those are the fumes and vapors from solvents and sprays like insect killers, oven cleaners and hair sprays. It also suggests you look for pump sprays instead of aerosols.
