Utah air quality is deteriorating and could get worse

SALT LAKE CITY — Although wildfires in surrounding areas are a factor in poor air quality, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, it is mostly because of the hot weather.

“When we have a lot of sunny days, fire, temperatures, and not a lot of wind, we get this chemical reaction that creates ozone pollution and that’s what we’re seeing and we have been seeing for the past about week, ” Utah DEQ Spokesperson Ashley Sumner said.

Ozone pollution is getting worse as the days get hotter.

Sumner advised anyone with a heart or respiratory condition could recreate outside in the morning before the day gets hot.

“If you are outside and start to feel stinging in your lungs, tightening in your chest, and have trouble breathing, you should go back inside,” Sumner said.

What can we do to improve air quality?

“I would encourage people to do things to improve the air quality,” Sumner said. “Like reducing trips in their vehicles and not using gas-powered lawn equipment.”

Being safe around fire and using fireworks responsibly during the summer can also help with the air quality.

To track the air quality throughout the day, visit the Utah Department of Environmental Quality website

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