Utah Valley, plagued with extreme air pollution. Courtesy of The Salt Lake Tribune.

UTAH AIR POLLUTION: THE COST

WARRANTS CHANGE PRESENTED BY STUART JENSEN
 “I love Utah; I love the mountains and the deserts. But
more than that, it’s my home. The dull smog that collects
over the valley, creating a dystopian haze against the sun-
every day, it’s all I see as I sit in traffic. That view,
breathing it in, is not my idea of home.”
-Stuart Jensen

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LET’S START WITH WHAT’S Air Pollution

HAPPENING 8%

Every year, Salt Lake City alone, has consistently 10%

been found in contempt of EPA air guidelines. And

in 2019, was ranked 7th for worst particle pollution
and 11th for worst ozone pollution. This is based on
the shape (and population) of the valley; the
pollution generally is incapable of clearing out. And 55%
as shown, the majority of the pollution is derived
from vehicular emission, followed by home and 27%

business causes, as well as other less significant

sources.

Vehicle Emissions Home/Business Non-Road Combustion Industry

Graph compiled by Stuart Jensen.

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AIR POLLUTION COMPOSITION
First, one must understand the contributors of air
pollution, as well as their sources. To begin, PM2.5,
which is more of a classification, is the most
significant and dangerous. PM 2.5 describes particles
that are equal to or less than 2.5 micrometers, which
have the ability to enter the respiratory system easily.
Second, CO, is produced from cars, home heating,
and a variety of other sources. Third, non-naturally
occurring ozone, which is emitted from vehicles,
industrial plants, and some household products.
Fourth, NOx, gases are produced by vehicles and
other combustion power generators. Salt Lake Valley, polluted with ozone, PM2.5, PM10,
etc… Photo by Stuart Jensen.
 Air pollution THE EFFECTS
has, and is
singlehandedly
the largest cause
of decreased life
expectancy
worldwide.

Graph credit: CNBC.

LOOKING CLOSER
Starting with an overview from the World Health
Organization, “[air pollution] increases the risk of
respiratory infections, heart disease and lung
cancer. Both short and long-term exposure to air
pollutants have been associated with health
impacts. More severe impacts affect people who are
already ill. The most health-harmful pollutants –
closely associated with excessive premature mortality –
are fine PM2.5 particles that penetrate deep into lung
passageways” (WHO 1). Short-term effects include
shortness of breath, lack of energy, and feeling ill, just
to list a few.
Cars contribute over half of air pollution. As you
can imagine, breathing in the byproducts of
combustion is not safe. Courtesy of Silicon
Republic..

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 LONG TERM EFFECTS, CONT.
Cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory
diseases, growth and functionality traits of
newborns, mental deteriorative illnesses such
as Alzheimer's in older folks, and more.
Looking more closely, and adding to previous
statements, one must know who is more likely
to be affected. According to the EPA, “These
groups include children, pregnant women,
older adults, and individuals with pre-existing
heart and lung disease. People in low
socioeconomic neighborhoods and
communities …[because of] proximity to
industrial sources of air pollution, underlying
health problems, poor nutrition, stress, and
other factors” (EPA 2).

Dust and ozone causes discoloration of the sun, making 7

it seem more hostile. Photo by Stuart Jensen.
TRENDS IN TOP 4
POLLUTANTS
Over the past 4 decades,
air pollutant emissions in
the US have decreased.
The presence is still a
problem, however.

Charts courtesy of the EPA.

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IN UTAH
According to IQAir, “An
estimated 75 percent of Utahns
lose 1 year of life or more as a
result of state air pollution levels,
while another 23 percent lose 5
years or more” (IQAir 9).
Furthermore, over 450 premature
deaths occur that are primarily
linked to air pollution.

Excessive air pollution results in severe health consequences.

Courtesy of NBC.
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NOW, WHAT HAS CAUSED A DECREASE?
In 1970, the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) was created
as a government sector that would set guidelines and protocols in
regard to emissions and pollution as a whole, therefore focusing
on the reduction thereof. For the past 50 years, numerous laws
and standards, passed by the EPA, have greatly reduced the
amount of produced air pollution (among other health factors).
According to the EPA, the US spends an estimated $65 billion
every year to clean the air. Which includes the EPA’s budget
having increased from $1 billion to $10 billion as it stands this past
fiscal year.

EPA yearly
budget.
Courtesy of
the EPA.

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SOMETHING TO BE
DESIRED…
Out of all of the government
agencies, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), which
regulates pollution, does not
receive noticeable funding, as it
compares to other departments.
Severely underfunded, in
comparison to its importance, the
potential benefits are not present.
Out of $3.25 trillion spent by the
US gov. last year, only 0.3% was
allocated to the EPA. Further,
some funding is being
reallocated, resulting in
detrimental consequences.
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Courtesy of the US Treasury.
UTAH PUSHBACK Many attempts have been made to thwart the EPA
regulations, and most recently, Utah has succeeded in
creating legislation that allows this. Early this year,
the Utah legislation passed the Utah Constitutional
Sovereignty Act, invoking the 10th Amendment,
which allows lawmakers to reject federal action
deemed unconstitutional until proved otherwise in
the Courts. Although the reasoning behind this bill is
not targeted toward the increasingly strict EPA
regulations, it will allow them to disregard them until
forced to comply.

Disregard to pollution restrictions will lead to further

consequences.
Photo courtesy of the University of Utah.

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EPA PROPOSAL, 2027
Currently the average passenger vehicle (light
and medium duty trucks) produce 400g/mile
of CO2. By phasing this proposal into action,
the allowed emissions produced from light
duty vehicles will be reduced to 82g/mile of
CO2 (56% decrease from 2026 standard) and
12g/mile of NMOG+Nox (non-methane
organic gases and nitrogen oxides) (60%
decrease from 2025 Tier 3 standard). Medium
duty vehicle emissions will be decreased to
275g/mile (44% decrease from 2026
standard) and 60g/mile of NMOG+NOx
(Over a 66% decrease from 2025 Tier 3
standard). As vehicles phase into Tier 4,
Chart Courtesy of the EPA.
regulations will continue to strengthen.

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EPA PROPOSAL, 2027, CONT.
From 2027 to 2032, the EPA is
proposing a solution to reduce
light and medium duty vehicles
(≤14,000 lbs) significantly.

Charts Courtesy of the EPA.

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 EPA PROPOSAL, 2027, CONT.
In order to reach the EPA’s proposed goal, a
variety of methods may be used. First, a near
70% increase in fully electric light duty
vehicles, as well as a near 40% increase in fully
electric medium duty vehicles. Second,
manufacturers may increase the production of
hybrid vehicles. Third, the widespread use of
gasoline particulate filters. Fourth,
improvements in technology to decrease
overall emissions. The cost of implementing
these strategies and technologies will be $180
billion - $280 billion, increasing the
manufacturing cost of vehicles by an
estimated $1,200. However, the health benefits
alone will be worth $63 billion - $280 billion
during the implementation period, and
therefore having an even greater impact in the
The increase in electric cars provide outstanding benefits.
future. 15
Courtesy of KSL.
CONCLUSION: WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE,
NOT AGAINST IT
75% of Utahns lose 1 year of life, 23% lose 5 or more, leading to over 450 premature deaths per
year. But the Utah legislation is fighting the federal regulation, which have billions of dollars
worth of health benefits.
This is NOT acceptable
Vote for legislation that protects our health.
Support representatives that share this value.
Continue to learn about the issue and participate in groups that uphold a
cleaner future.
It all starts with YOU

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Photo by Stuart Jensen.
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16 June 2022, www.cnbc.com/2022/06/14/air-pollution-takes-2-years-off-your-life-more-than-smoking-or-alcohol.html.
“Fiscal Data Explains Federal Spending.” Fiscaldata.treasury.gov, 2023, fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/federal-spending/.
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www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2024/02/29/utah-legislature-tries-assert-more/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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---. “EPA’s Budget and Spending | US EPA.” US EPA, Apr. 2019, www.epa.gov/planandbudget/budget.
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gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle#:~:text=2%20per%20mile.-.
---. “Ozone Trends | US EPA.” US EPA, 4 May 2016, www.epa.gov/air-trends/ozone-trends.
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