FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2004
Contacts:
Laura Vernon, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, 801.554.4944
Mike Weibel, Bear River Health Department, 435.994.1122
The air quality alert in Cache County has changed from "very unhealthy" to "unhealthy." The red wood-burn condition is still in effect. The health advisory is for sensitive individuals. Children, the elderly and those with respiratory and heart disease should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
"We are pleased the levels of pollution are somewhat lower, but the situation is still serious," Air Quality Division Director Rick Sprott said.
Residents are encouraged to "Choose Clean Air" by carpooling, using mass transit, consolidating trips, conserving energy, avoiding traffic delays, obeying the speed limit and limiting their car's idling time. More ideas are available on the Web at www.cleanair.utah.gov.
As the final regulatory monitoring methods for measuring particulate matter results were performed, the real-time values of particulate pollution reported for Cache County turned out to be lower. However, the final pollution levels still far exceed the health standard. Therefore, the health advisory and actions for curbing pollution are still valid.
The real-time monitoring instruments and methods allow scientists to measure pollution every hour, but the ultimate measure of particulate matter comes from a paper filter used for an entire 24-hour period. The filters must then be dried and weighed in a laboratory. This process is too lengthy to allow regulators to warn the public in advance of increasing pollution. The real-time monitors take readings hourly but are known to be affected by humidity.
State scientists have already made adjustments to account for humidity, but the extraordinarily high values over the past few days entered new territory never experienced in the nation. The correction factors are now being updated to adapt to the extreme inversion and humidity experienced in Cache County.
"We are ensuring our methods and health advisories are as accurate as possible, ensuring the public is protected without being alarmist," Sprott said.