SLC Again Ranks in Top 10 for Dirty Air

May 02, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Salt Lake City's poor air quality again ranked among the 10-worst on a new American Lung Association report. The capital city ranked seventh among the top 25 for the severity of its spikes in air pollution. Physicians for a Healthy Environment President Dr. Brian Moench says while this winter was actually better than previous years, even short-term exposure to particulate pollution can cause long-term health complications.

"Short-term exposure to air pollution components have an effect on the arterial system of the body, creating an inflammatory response that is very similar to smoking cigarettes," Moench says. "And for example, in epidemiological data, we can see increased mortality-rates for as long as an entire month after only one day of an acute spike in air pollution. "

The report defined particulate pollution as a mix of ash, soot, diesel exhaust, chemicals, metal and aerosols. Of these, Moench says diesel exhaust and the nearby oil refineries are the biggest contributors to the valley's air pollution problem. Recent action by the Environmental Protection Agency against one of these refineries is expected to improve the valley's air. The Holly petroleum plant in Woods Cross reached an agreement last month with the U.S. Justice Department to make $17 million-worth of improvements and pay a $120,000 fine for Clean Air Act violations. EPA spokeswoman Cathy Milbourn says the new emissions standards for petroleum refineries will improve the nation's air quality.

"Over the next five years we expect to see a reduction in particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxide from 30 facilities across the country by 31,000 tons per year," Milbourn says. "So we feel that's a significant reduction and will also help clean the air and reduce particulate matter and ozone."

The improvements to the Holly refinery are expected to eliminate annually 420 tons of pollution from the Salt Lake Valley air-shed. The plant expects to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide by 315 tons per year and nitrogen oxide by 105 tons. Company spokesman Mike Astin says the refinery has already starting working on implementing some of the improvements in the agreement.

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