| OCR Text |
Show Air Quality Air pollution is an unwanted byproduct of civilization and is a problem in Utah and elsewhere, where people live and work. The urgency of the problem is often directly proportional to the population and industrial growth of the State. Air pollution in Utah, most prevalent along the four- county Wasatch Front, results from a combination of industry and population concentration and meteorological conditions. A serious factor is temperature inversion which occurs in the fall and winter months and which prevents the pollutants produced on the surface from escaping from the valley floors. These inversions usually last only a few days and are frequently accompanied by a fog which is often mistaken for air pollution. Studies conducted by Utah State Board of Health and Brigham Young University^ indicate that emissions of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide have reached serious proportions along the Wasatch Front. An inversion of 1 to 2 days in length is sufficient to bring the concentrations of sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates to hazardous proportions. This problem is complicated by the fact that the Wasatch Front Basin has a greater frequency of temperature inversions than any other area of the United States, as reported by the Air Pollution Administrative Committee to the Utah State Legislature in June 1962. Air quality in other portions of the Unit area is much better than along the Wasatch Front area. Wind erosion within the Bonneville Unit area is usually limited to localized areas. It results when climatic conditions are such that the movement of fine soil particles is affected. Dust storms occur in the dry western valleys of the Bonneville Basin. These storms are usually of two types. A salt type storm occurs when wind direction is from the northwest and velocity and other factors cause a fine salt dust from the barren lands surrounding the Great Salt Lake to become airborne. These storms are usually accompanied by light showers that settle salt dust over the entire area. The storms are infrequent, of short duration, and are considered a nuisance rather than harmful. The second type of dust storm is characterized by fine soil particles which are picked up and windborne. In agricultural areas, especially where high winds occur, wind erosion is held to a minimum through sound agricultural management practices. The Utah Air Conservation Program was officially launched in July 19& 7 with the adoption of the Air Conservation Act. The Act provides for the State Division of Health to be responsible for administering pollution control, under policy guidance of the Utah State Air Conservation Committee and the State Board of Health. Members of this committee were appointed by the Governor and given powers and duties as defined in the Division of Health publication dated 202 |
