Dust EPA Standards and Dust Metal Health Guidelines

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Need for a Dust Metal Advisory Panel

Unfortunately, much misinformation and disinformation prevails in Utahn’s belief on dust. Our mission is to provide transparent, high-fidelity information so that all Utahns—whether they are managing a household or participating in outdoor athletics—may make informed decisions based on the best available science. 

To date, there is no published data on the heavy metal concentrations of dust falling on Wasatch Front communities. We are not saying that there are no metals in dust, but there is no evidence that the heavy metal concentrations in Great Salt Lake dust are any higher than dust derived from other desert soils. 

Further, there are no national “dust heavy metal health guidelines” to tell us exactly how an afternoon of dust affects our short- or long-term health. To protect all Utahn’s, we are actively researching dust heavy metal chemistry and creating an advisory panel. 

The advisory panel is composed of multiple personnel at several state agencies, including the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality, Utah Department of Human and Health Services, and Utah Department of Natural Resources. 

EPA’s Current Dust National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Dust storm exposure is classified as a meteorological hazard and an environmental public health threat. Dust exposure is characterized as an acute, short-term (minutes to days), high-concentration inhalation of particulate matter, primarily fine and coarse particles (PM2.5 and PM10). For the impact of dust on human health, we follow the National Ambient Air Quality Standards established by the EPA under the Clean Air Act. Currently, we are in attainment for all particulate matter regulations, meaning we are protecting Utahn’s  health to the level advised by the federal government:

• Particulate Matter 10 micrometers or less (PM10): These particles are 10 micrometers or less in diameter. The EPA’s air quality standard for PM10 is 150 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), measured over a 24-hour average. PM10 primarily affects the upper respiratory system and can trigger conditions like asthma.
• Particulate Matter 2.5 micrometers or less (PM2.5): These are even finer particles, 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. The EPA’s air quality standard for PM2.5 is 35 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), measured over a 24-hour average. While PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream, PM10 is the main concern for upper respiratory impacts.

We encourage residents to check air quality forecasts, particulate matter concentrations, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) at air.utah.gov before outdoor activities. 

We also support projects like West Side Air Sense, which provides real-time particulate matter data from low-cost sensors, particularly for communities near the Great Salt Lake.