There are two PM2.5 standards: 1) annually averaged PM2.5 (set to 12 ug/m3) 2) 24-hr average PM2.5 (set to 35 ug/m3)
In UT we meet the annual avg since most of the yr we have low PM, but for a decade we exceeded the 24hr PM2.5 during winter inversion episodes.
The 24hr PM2.5 std was introduced in '97. Science in early 2000s showed standard was too high, so in 2006 it was lowered to 35ug/m3. It's calculated w/ 3yrs of data, so in 2009, 3 counties in UT exceeded the standard.
Exceeding the standard empowered @UtahDEQ to lower emissions & we've made progress. PM2.5 has gone down a little & in 2019 we met the 24-hr standard.
Now there's no more regulatory push for more emission reductions (except to meet ozone standards, which we're also exceeding).
I'd like to hope the UT legislature would prioritize #AirQuality to the same extent they're doing w/ the Great Salt Lake, but I don't see that happening.
With tighter EPA air quality standards, Utah would have to keep lowering emissions.
That's where you come in.
EPA's proposing to lower the annual PM2.5 std but keep the 24-hr std at 35 ug/m3 BUT they're accepting comments to revise the 24hr std down to 25 ug/m3!
Lowering the annual std wouldn't help Utah much
Please submit a comment asking EPA to lower the PM2.5 24-hr std to 25 ug/m3!
Anyone who just lived through the inversion the last few days knows that the current 24-hr PM2.5 standard is NOT protecting public health, which is the whole point of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)!
If you'd like to know more about Utah's #AirQuality history, I published a paper on that last summer. Here's a thread on our history w/ links to the paper:
Utah has a long fascinating air quality history that that you wouldn't believe. Understanding our history can inform where we are today & our future.
Follow along 🧵...
Why care about air pollution? Because it has enormous health & economic impacts
Air quality health research done in Utah: mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1…
Air quality economic impacts in Utah: mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1…
While air quality typically ranks among the top 3 issues in Utah, most people think not enough is being done to address it. But when did that start?