On average, adults breathe over 3,000 gallons of air each day; there is no way to avoid breathing. If that air is contaminated, there is no way to avoid exposure to pollutants. Furthermore, it damages trees, crops, plants, animals, rivers, and lakes. This damages ecoystems and alters natural processes. It can also damage buildings and statues. Because air is ubiquitous, poor air quality affects everything around us.

Air pollution affects health in a number of ways. They range from coughing and shortness of breath to exacerbating conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Air pollution has also been linked to higher occurrence of heart attacks and strokes and low birth weight in infants. Two air pollutants of particular concern are ozone and PM2.5.

Ozone: Ground-level ozone, not to be confused with the atmosphere's protective ozone layer, is created by reactions between environmental pollutants and light and heat. Ozone is the main component of smog and is dangerous to health and the environment. The creation of ozone is facilitated by warm weather and sunshine; therefore, ozone levels are usually higher in the summer and in the mid-afternoon.

PM2.5: "PM" stands for "particulate matter," which is a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. PM has many different components like acids, organic chemicals, metals, and soil. PM is measured in micrometers, so PM10 refers to particulate matter that is 10 micrometers long and PM2.5, 2.5 micrometers long. The important thing with PM is its size. The size of the particle is directly linked with their ability to harm human health; the smaller the particle, the easier it can pass through the nose and throat and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, PM can affect the heart and lungs, causing serious health consequences.

These and four other pollutants are categorized as the six "criteria pollutants" by the US Environmental Protection Agency. To learn more, click the following links:

• Carbon Monoxide
• Lead
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Ozone
• Particulate Matter

Air pollution affects everyone, but certain people are more susceptible to its effects. Sensitive populations include people with lung or heart issues, young children, and older adults.

Even though we may assume that our individual choices do not affect air quality, they do. Reducing air pollution and improving air quality is everybody's responsibility:

• Conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when you're not using them
• Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminium cans
• Shop with a canvas bag and avoid using paper and plastic bags
• Plan your trips with your automobile
• Instead of using your car, use public transportation, ride a bike, or walk

For more suggestions, please visit these websites for more ideas:

• See how your choices make a difference in Utah's air quality - UCAIR Utah Clean Air Partnership
• Ways to Reduce Air Pollution - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Air Quality Conditions

• Current Conditions and 3 Day Forecast - Utah Air Quality Index
• AirNow - home page - Nationwide air quality information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Resources

• Air Pollution - Utah Environmental Epidemiology Program - Web page resource on air quality in Utah.
• Air Pollution and Public Health in Utah (PDF) - Utah Environmental Epidemiology Program - This publication provides information about common air pollutants and the ways they affect human health.
• EJSCREEN Tool - EJSCREEN is a mapping tool provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It combines environmental and demographic information about environmental justice topics. Relevant to air quality, EJSCREEN provides 6 air quality data topics:
  • Lifetime cancer risk from inhalation of air toxics
  • Air toxics respiratory hazard index (ratio of exposure concentration to health-based reference concentration)
  • Diesel particulate matter level in air
  • PM2.5 levels in air
  • Ozone summer seasonal average
  • Count of vehicles at major roads within 500 meters

• EnviroAtlas home page - EnviroAtlas is a tool provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EnviroAtlas provides interactive resources for exploring the benefits people receive from nature, or "ecosystem goods and services." It uses seven broad categories to organize its information and data: clean air; clean and plentiful water; natural hazard mitigation; climate stabilization; recreation, culture, and aesthetics; food, fuel, and materials; and biodiversity conservation.
• Community-Focused Exposure and Risk Screening Tool (C-FERST) - C-FERST is a tool provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that helps communities learn about environmental issues and risks. Topics include air quality, air toxics assessment, air pollutant emissions inventory, water discharge sites, water quality inventory report, NPL (Superfund) sites, and more. It also includes data on demographics, schools, and political boundaries.
• The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Program Websites

• UCAIR Utah Clean Air Partnership
• Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Air Quality home page
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Air Pollution

Air Quality Index

• Days by Air Quality Index Category by County and Core-based Statistical Area, by Year

Click here to view all available public queries and metadata for all secure portal queries.

The Utah EPHT Network receives air quality data from the Air Quality Division of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and from the Environmental Protection Agency.

View complete metadata for PM2.5 and Ozone datasets and AQI dataset .