Air Pollution in Utah By Keaton Boss Period 1

The Problem Air Pollution caused from years of increased particle pollution and low ozone levels. Pollution is increasing health problems in our state everyday. This causes an incline in the population that have asthmatic complications.

Governing Entity Directed to the Utah Department of Health

Research There are two spots in Utah that are the nation’s worst when it comes to spikes of pollution. Salt Lake County and Weber County received ‘F’ grades due to the high amount of pollution. These cities have more unhealthy of high summer smog. Though these cities are trying to prevent their pollution, they still have a long ways to go. We must set tougher health standards for pollutants and clean up sources of pollution in Salt Lake City to protect the health of these residents.

Research More schools have been offering indoor recess due to the high amounts of CO2 in the air. This is especially a danger to kids with respiratory health problems such as asthma. Pollution also has a big influence on the increase in heart disease, can raise the risk of heart attacks, and can cause many adverse birth outcomes including preterm birth, SGA, low birthweight, birth defects, or infant death.

Research The most common pollutants are: carbon monoxide (causes headache, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath), ground level ozone (effects the plants), lead (causes same symptoms from smoking), sulfur dioxide(causes irritation in the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs), particulate matter (can penetrate the respiratory system and causes shortage in breathing), and nitrogen dioxide (which may cause asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in some severe cases can be fatal).

Call To Action Try to figure out carpooling or public transportation to certain events. Switch to solar energy, and switch to electric cars rather than gasoline/oil fueled cars. And figure out more ways to reduce the amount of CO2 going into the air.

Citations Bose, Debopriya, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/carbon-dioxide- poisoning.html “Carbon Dioxide Poisoning”, Buzzle, 3 August, 2016. Fahys, Judy, http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/news/56208839- 78/pollution-utah-association-lung.html.csp “Air Pollution in Utah Gets ‘F’ Grades From American Lung Association”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 April, 2013. Health grades Inc. http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/c/chemical_poisoning_nitrogen_dioxide/s ymptoms.htm “Symptoms of Chemical Poisoning”, Right Diognosis, 13 August, 2015. http://health.utah.gov/utahair/ “Health Concerns”, State of Utah, 2017.