Utah's Fine Particulate Air Pollution Problem

For those living along Utah’s Wasatch Front, the air quality problem is visibly obvious. The air pollution, especially in the winter when inversions trap pollutants between the surrounding mountains, is hazardous to people’s health. Several counties along the Wasatch Front violate the Clean Air Act’s air quality standard for particulate matter and are currently designated as “nonattainment” areas. The Environmental Protection Agency requires that affected areas take action to reduce the levels of pollution.

This Article will discuss the Clean Air Act and the state’s role in ensuring compliance. This Article then examines some of the reasons for the Wasatch Front’s poor air quality. Finally, this Article proposes solutions and identifies issues that demand further study in order to combat the area’s air pollution problem.