The Leo on Wheels: Tooele Jr. High

Pollutants from power plants, factories, vehicle exhaust, and wood-burning stoves that would normally rise and spread with the winds are instead concentrated right along the earth’s surface. Why is this such a concern? The fine particles of matter in the pollution enter our lungs and bloodstream when we breath. The national standard for safe air is set at 35 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter of air. Since November, however, Salt Lake County has had more than a dozen “red alert” air quality days, meaning that the particulate matter in the air ranges from 151 to 200 micrograms per cubic meter. In this range even healthy people are adversely affected, but those with heart and/or lung disease, older adults, children, and those who are active in the outdoors are at even greater risk.

Gratefully, storm systems are moving through our valleys now, churning the air and improving (at least locally) our breathing experience. For more information about current air quality conditions along with information on how you can make a difference, visit the website of Utah Division of Air Quality.