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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Environmental Protection Agency says Utah hasn't done enough to show it is controlling pollution associated with soot and dust.
The EPA filed notice Tuesday that it plans to reject the state's request to reclassify urban areas such as Salt Lake and Utah counties to show they're in compliance with federal pollution laws.
The decision involves minute pollution particles known as PM-10 that can cause heart and lung problems. The EPA says Utah has run afoul of standards meant to keep PM-10 in check.
Utah air quality officials say the state has made significant strides in reducing that pollution. They say most of the problems now are associated with dust that's kicked up in heavy winds. They say steps have been taken to suppress dust where possible but there's little to be done to control powerful winds.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
