This infographic goes over the issues that Utah has with its air quality. By visually breaking it down, I think it is easier to see where the pressure points are and this really does help bring to light an important subject, at least in the state of Utah.

1. HOW DOES DIRTY AIR AFFECT ME?
HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Most children along the Wasatch Front will never develop their full lung
capacity due to childhood exposure to chronic air pollution.
Air pollution exposure can lead to a higher incidence of
SIDS, low birth weight syndrome, premature birth, and
infant mortality.
Between 1000-2000 premature deaths
along the Wasatch Front are attributable to air pollution.
Air pollution’s effects are like tobacco’s: a systemic inflammatory
response in the arterial system that affects all organs.
Carpool or use
public transit,
rather than
build more
freeways.
Conserve energy by
properly
weatherizing your
home to reduce
heating.
Don’t burn
wood or trash,
even on green
burn days.
Tell others &
spread clean air
quality
information.
Hold industrial
plants
accountable for
the amount of
pollution they
cause.
Keep your vehicle
maintained and
in check with
emissions laws.
TOGETHER, WE CAN CLEAN UP OUR AIR
Inversion is very dangerous for people
with asthma or chronic lung disease.
It exacerbates respitory infections,
triggers asthma attacks, and
temporarily reduces lung capacity.
Data gathered in Utah from 1995-2009
show that the average number of people
hospitalized with severe asthma doubles
as smog rates shoot up in the winter.
CLEAN AIR SOURCES:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=23668036
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/clean_air/archive/inversion.htm
http://fox13now.com/2013/02/04/red-air-quality-in-northern-utah/
http://www.exploreutah.com/GettingAround/Utahs_Weather_The_Inversion.shtml
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55825755-78/pollution-utah-birth-studies.html.csp
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865560535/Clearing-the-air-That-air-youre-breathing-may-be-slowly-killing-you.html?pg=all
http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/no-solutions-in-sight-for-smog-sickness/article_da91c9f5-9123-5f52-a83c-79af428a398b.html
Doctors encourage women seeking
to get pregnant to conceive after the
inversion season.
The Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake make pollution in
Utah an even bigger risk. The mountains can trap pollution over the
lake - which then pushes it back into the city. This polluted air is
denser than the warmer layer of air above it, and cannot escape.
This is called INVERSION.
Inversion in the Winter months is especially dangerous.
It takes over one month for the
body to recover from just one
“red air” day.
Heating our homes
and buildings
(wood is very toxic)
Industrial
Polluters
Emissions from of
our cars and
trucks on Utah
roads
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GIVES AIR QUALITY THESE RATINGS:
GOOD MODERATE
UNHEALTHY
for sensitive
populations
UNHEALTHY
VERY
UNHEALTHY
HAZARDOUS
In the beginning of February - 2013,
Utah had 22 red air days for the 2012-2013 winter.
At the same time in 2012, there was only 5 for the 2011-2012 winter.
Air pollution shortens the life span
of a Wasatch Front resident about
TWO YEARS.
Being exposed to a “red air” day is virtually
equivalent to smoking a half pack of
cigarettes. This is especially dangerous
and unacceptable for pregnant mothers,
newborns and children.
WHERE IS DIRTY AIR COMING FROM?