What is the air quality like in Salt Lake City Utah?
40 AQI. The air quality is generally acceptable for most individuals.
Where does Salt Lake City rank in air quality?
IQAir, a Swedish research company, ranks Salt Lake City as the 94th metropolitan city with the worst air quality in the world.
Why is it so hazy in Salt Lake City?
The gray haze blanketing the capital city was caused by wind-blown dust, according to the Utah Division of Environmental Quality. (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Poor air quality obscures the Oquirrh Mountains and downtown Salt Lake City, as seen from the University of Utah on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.
Where is the best air quality in Utah right now?
Real-time Utah Cleanest city ranking#cityUS AQI1Cedar City02Mount Olympus13Whiterocks14Ivins26 more rows•Oct 1, 2022
Is Utah's air quality getting better?
Utah has made significant progress to improve air quality in recent years, and we can all be proud that our air today is cleaner than it has been in decades.
Is Salt Lake drying up?
Sitting just northwest of Salt Lake City, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere is drying up because of water use and drought amid a changing climate, sending dust with toxic metals — including arsenic — in the air of a metro area with approximately 1.2 million people.
Why does Utah have the worst air?
While poor air quality in Utah is concentrated due to the mountainous topography which can cause pollutants to build up near the surface (especially during inversions) the source of harmful pollutants is primarily industrial (several silica mines, refineries, coal-fired power plants, and massive open pit mining ...
What state has the best air quality?
HawaiiHawaii ranks first in the nation for air and water quality, as well as in the overall natural environment category. Massachusetts places second in this subcategory, followed by North Dakota, Virginia and Florida. Learn more about the Best States for air and water quality below.
Why is salt lake so polluted?
Pollution in the drying Great Salt Lake “Climate change and unsustainable water use have turned 50% of Great Salt Lake to dust or potential dust,” said one of the researchers, Molly Blakowski.
Which is the most polluted city in the world 2022?
New DelhiAccording to a report called the Air Quality and Health in Cities, released by US-based Health Effects Institute last week, India's capital city New Delhi is the most polluted city in the entire world, with West Bengal's Kolkata bagging the second spot.
Is asthma worse in Utah?
The state of Utah has higher rates of asthma compared to most of the country.
What cities have the worst air quality in the US?
Pollution level rankings 2019RankCity1Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA2Visalia, CA3Bakersfield, CA4Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA6 more rows
Does Salt Lake have bad air quality?
How bad is the air quality in Salt Lake City? Despite long-term reductions in particle pollution and ozone of recent decades, air quality in Salt Lake City remains among the worst in the United States. The last three years, moreover, have seen increases in unhealthy ozone days and annual PM2. 5 levels.
Where is the best air quality in the US?
HawaiiHawaii ranks first in the nation for air and water quality, as well as in the overall natural environment category. Massachusetts places second in this subcategory, followed by North Dakota, Virginia and Florida. Learn more about the Best States for air and water quality below.
Why is it so dusty in Utah?
The Great Basin is full of ancient lakes that went dry along with other terminal waters that are on the verge of disappearing, which have long been sources of dust across Utah. The issue with the Great Salt Lake's decline is its proximity to a major urban center.
Why is the sky so hazy today in Utah?
It's not smoke: Southern Utah's hazy skies result from dust, wind from surrounding areas.
What are some air quality readings on the pollution map for Salt Lake City?
Air quality readings for Salt Lake City as shown on the map above generally fall within the 'good' range, with some going slightly higher and falli...
What can you learn from the US AQI readings on the pollution map for Salt Lake City?
When observing the various readings that are present on the air quality map shown above for Salt Lake City, one can learn a few different things ju...
Which people may benefit the most from becoming using the air quality map for Salt Lake City?
All members of society can benefit significantly by staying up to date on the pollution levels shown on the air quality map for Salt Lake City. How...
What causes higher pollution readings on the air quality map in Salt Lake City?
Whilst less prominent than in other cities worldwide that are undergoing rapid expansion and growth, the causes for air pollution remain largely th...
When is Salt Lake City’s worst air quality?
Winter months in Salt Lake City tend to be the most polluted. In 2019, December, January, and November represented the highest AQI months in Salt Lake City, with index ratings of 60, 57, and 39 (respectively). Conversely, June, May, and April are Salt Lake City’s cleanest months with AQI ratings of 10, 10, and 11.
What causes air pollution in Salt Lake City?
Motor vehicles represent the largest source of pollution emissions in Salt Lake City, a trend common in a majority of locations across the United States. 55 percent of all the city’s emissions are attributable to vehicular traffic. 4
Why does Salt Lake City create so much air pollution?
Fossil fuel is responsible for creating much Salt Lake City air pollution. One study estimated that roughly 85 percent of harmful emissions are the result of fossil fuel combustion, largely owing to home and building heating and traffic.
How many days of ozone is there in Salt Lake City?
Between 2016 and 2018, Salt Lake City experienced a weighted average of 25.7 days of unhealthy ozone and 11.5 days of unhealthy PM2.5. The US government targets a weighted average of no more than 3.2 days of unhealthy pollution a year.
What are the effects of seasonal fluctuations on Salt Lake City?
Seasonal fluctuations play a significant role in Salt Lake City air pollution. Temperature inversions in the winter trap polluted air, preventing its normal dispersal. As a result of this weather effect, winter months can experience more than five times the PM2.5 concentration as in summer months.
What is the most polluted month in Salt Lake City?
Winter months in Salt Lake City tend to be the most polluted. In 2019, December, January, and November represented the highest AQI months in Salt Lake City, with index ratings of 60, 57, and 39 (respectively). Conversely, June, May, and April are Salt Lake City’s cleanest months with AQI ratings of 10, 10, and 11.
Why does Salt Lake City have an increased AQI?
In the winter, Salt Lake City increased AQI levels are often the result of temperature inversions. In normal conditions, air is warmest near the ground and cools with gains in elevation. During a temperature inversion, ground-level air is colder than the air directly above it. When this happens, the warm air layer prevents ...
What is GAIA air quality monitoring?
The GAIA air quality monitoring stations are using high-tech laser particle sensors to measure in real-time PM2.5 pollution , which is one of the most harmful air pollutants.
Where is the AQI located?
Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) It seems that you are not located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and that the closest city from your location is Chicago .
Is air quality good or bad?
Good. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. None. 51 -100. Moderate. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Is air quality data unvalidated?
Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.
Is air quality good?
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Is air quality data unvalidated?
Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.
What are the pollutants in the Salt Lake Valley?
Concentrations of particulate matter, ozone, or carbon monoxide, often referred to as "inversion," can reach moderate or unhealthy levels in our air.
What is the Air Quality Bureau?
To help improve air quality in the Salt Lake Valley, the Air Quality Bureau administers several educational and regulatory programs, including the Vehicle Emissions Program and a wood burning regulation. Air Quality Bureau.
What is ethylene oxide and what are its uses?
Ethylene oxide is a gas used to sterilize equipment that cannot be sterilized by steam, such as medical and dental devices. It is also used to make chemicals for the manufacturing of everyday products, including antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents and adhesives.
What is a safe level of ethylene oxide?
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to regulate “Hazardous Air Pollutants” (HAPs), also known as air toxics. Rather than setting ambient air standards, which are limits on the amount of a pollutant that is allowed in outdoor air, HAPs emissions are capped for industrial sources directly.
Where are the monitors located?
A total of 16 air monitors will be distributed throughout Salt Lake County with emphasis around medical sterilization facilities. This will allow us to determine the levels of ethylene oxide near these facilities and how they compare to levels at more distant locations.
How do the monitors work?
A sample of ambient air is pulled into an evacuated stainless steel canister, where the difference in pressure between the inside of the canister and outdoor air causes the sample air to flow into the canister.
When will results be available to the public?
The final study report will be released by September 2023, but intermittent results will be shared as they become available and are reviewed.
