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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 28, 2002
Contacts:
Rick Sprott, Director of the Utah Division of Air Quality, (801) 536-4022
Laura Vernon, DEQ Public Information Officer, (801) 536-4484
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality's "Red Light, Green Light" program, which curtails wood burning along the Wasatch Front during winter inversions, ends its tenth season today.
During the four-month season, which began Nov. 1, 2001, the Division of Air Quality called 8 "red" days and 11 "yellow" days in Salt Lake and Davis counties; 3 "red" days and 7 "yellow" days in Utah County; and 5 "red" and 9 "yellow" days in Weber County. Bear River Health Department voluntarily initiated a wood-burn program for Cache County beginning with the 2001-2002 season as a proactive measure to improve air quality. The local health department called 5 "red" and 22 "yellow" days in Cache County.
"The number of 'red' and 'yellow' days has increased during the past couple of years because we are using a more stringent particulate matter measure for PM2.5 rather than PM10," Air Quality Director Rick Sprott said. "We call 'red' and 'yellow' days at a lower level of pollution to reduce pollution during an inversion to avoid exceeding the health standard and provide the greatest possible protection to the public."
Some fairly strong inversions set up over the Wasatch Front valleys in late December and early January, and then again in early February. "The residents of the Wasatch Front did a great job at heeding air pollution warnings, which was extremely important during strong inversions," Sprott said. "Using the bus and TRAX, car pooling, and telecommuting during the Olympics also reduced pollution. Continuing these good habits would be the best possible Olympic legacy for Utah's air quality.
"Wood-burning conditions are identified as "Red, Yellow, Green" - similar to traffic lights. The program is used to notify citizens when they can burn wood in a fireplace, depending upon pollution levels. "Red" means burning is prohibited and people are asked to reduce vehicle trips and take the bus or TRAX. Likewise, industries are asked to minimize their release of air pollutants and ensure that air pollution control equipment is functioning properly. "Yellow" means a voluntary no burn and "green" means burning is allowed.
Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) is the primary winter pollutant. Wood burning produces soot and dust that are components of particulate, as are emissions from vehicles and other engines. Fine particles can become lodged in delicate lung tissue, decreasing lung function, especially for people with respiratory and cardiovascular ailments.
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