Denver Whaley
My work explores air pollution in Utah's Salt Lake Valley, where air quality has deteriorated significantly over the years. The Salt Lake City area faces severe air quality challenges, ranking 7th out of 217 metropolitan areas for worst 24-hour particle pollution and 11th out of 228 for worst ozone pollution. This decline has led to increased health risks for residents, particularly affecting sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with heart and lung diseases.
The three main contributors to air pollution in the Salt Lake Valley are transportation, industry, and residential sources. While mobile sources like cars and trucks produce about 39% of the annual man-made pollution, my focus is primarily on the industrial aspect. Point sources, which include stationary industrial and commercial sites emitting more than 100 tons per year of regulated pollutants, are the third largest contributor to emissions in the area.
Research, including personal visits to plants along The Great Salt Lake, reveals the significant impact of industrial operations on both air quality and the lake itself. For instance, a single magnesium refinery may be responsible for a substantial fraction of the fine particles that form the dense winter brown clouds over Salt Lake City. These industrial activities not only release pollutants but also extract water from the lake for mining processes, often leaving it contaminated and unusable.
In Utah, poor air quality is visibly apparent, especially during winter when temperature inversions trap pollution in the valley. The unique geography of the Salt Lake Valley, surrounded by mountains, exacerbates this problem by creating a basin that shields the area from winds that might otherwise clear out pollutants. During these inversions, many residents experience difficulty breathing.
The primary pollutant of concern is PM2.5 (Particulate Matter, 2.5 micrometers in size). This fine particulate matter can pass through airways, settle in the lungs, and be absorbed by the bloodstream. PM2.5 can cause various environmental and health issues, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and increased cancer risk, particularly lung cancer.
The combination of natural phenomena like inversions and human activities creates a complex air quality challenge for the region. Despite efforts to regulate emissions, some industries have been found to exceed guidelines. For example, one company was caught significantly surpassing emissions restrictions for eight consecutive years, resulting in a fine of $400,000. This incident highlights the ongoing issues of corporate responsibility and the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations in the area.
