Category: Air Quality

Point Source Emission Inventories

Contact Questions? Please email sleis@utah.gov

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah’s Inversion Season

Utah has great air most of the year, but during the winter we experience “inversions.” Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Utah’s winter air quality.

December 2, 2020 Agenda: Air Quality

Call-to-Order Date of the Next Air Quality Board Meetings: January 6, 2021, February 3, 2021 Approval of the Minutes November 4, 2020,, Board Meeting. Propose for Final Adoption: Amendment to Utah State Implementation Plan. Emission Limits and Operating Practices. Section IX, Part H; and R307-110-17. Section IX, Control Measures for Area and Point Sources, Part …

Air Quality Compliance Outreach Newsletter Volume 5
November 2020

Understanding Utah’s Air Quality Here is a quick overview of the chemicals we look for when monitoring the air and the sources of these pollutants. What can you do? Conserve energy – remember to turn off lights, computers, and other appliances. Get in the habit of setting your thermostat a few degrees warmer in the …

EPA Announces Air Quality Milestone in Utah

The U.S. EPA announced on Tuesday, Nov. 10, its intent to redesignate the Salt Lake City and Provo “non-attainment” areas to “attainment” for the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act.

Seven Ways to Cut Emissions and Winterize Your Home

Fall is quickly turning to winter. Before the snow blankets Utah, here are some helpful tips to winterize your home and reduce emissions.

November 4, 2020 Agenda: Air Quality

Call-to-Order Date of the Next Air Quality Board Meeting: December 2, 2020 Approval of the Minutes September 2, 2020, Board Meeting. Propose for Final Adoption: R307-240. Prescribed Burning. Presented by Liam Thrailkill and Joel Karmazyn R307-422. Emission Offset Requirements in PM2.5 Maintenance Areas Update. Presented by Becky Close. Open Meetings, Conflicts, Ethics, and Records Training. …

Seasonal Wood Burning Restrictions Begin November 1

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality reminds Northern Utah residents that wood burning restrictions go into effect Nov. 1, 2020. Help improve our air quality and protect the health of your neighbors and loved ones by following the wood burning restrictions.

Utah Clean Diesel Program:
An Incentive Program for Heavy-Duty Diesel Fleets

The Utah Clean Diesel Program offers incentives for fleet owners to voluntarily reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. There are multiple funding opportunities available for eligible vehicles and equipment. Government and private fleet operators are encouraged to apply.

Working Safely With Asbestos

Asbestos has been used since ancient times. In mid-century America, it was used in countless residential and industrial construction products. Learn more about the health risks and how to safely deal with asbestos on remodeling and demolition jobs.

Emissions of Reactive Organics from Natural Gas-Fueled Engines

Utah State University scientists will improve estimates of the magnitude and composition of emissions from natural gas-fueled artificial lift engines in the Uinta Basin. Recent ambient air measurements have implicated natural gas-fueled engines as a large source of reactive organics, including formaldehyde, ethylene, propylene, and other compounds. The results from this project will allow Utah DAQ to better understand and model this source of ozone-forming pollution in the Uinta Basin and develop science-based, effective emissions reduction strategies for wintertime ozone.

• Principal Investigators: Seth Lyman (USU), Huy Tran (USU)
• Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $117,300

Vertical Ozone Profiles in the Uinta Basin and Validating Drones as an Air Measurement Platform

The University of Utah will conduct vertical ozone profile measurements from ground level to the mid-stratosphere to develop a better understanding of ozone layers and evolution over Utah. Data collected by drones and balloons will provide information on the vertical distribution of ozone and nitrous dioxide (NO2) among other gases. This data will be used by UDAQ to inform policy and decision makers.

• Tony Saad (UU), John Sohl (Weber State University)
• Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $92,463

Quantitative Attribution of Wildfires on Summertime Ozone Concentrations along the Wasatch Front

Wildfires can significantly enhance summertime ozone and aerosol concentrations, which can degrade air quality and have adverse effects on human health. While air quality has improved across much of the U.S., the Western U.S. has seen a recent increase in wildfire activity. This project will assess the contribution of regional fires and long-range smoke transport to poor air quality in the Salt Lake Valley. This study will also improve our understanding of how wildfires interact with urban plumes, improve air quality modeling capabilities, and guide the implementation of effective regulatory policies.

• Adam Kochanski (San Jose State University), Derek Mallia (UU), Kerry Kelly (UU)
• Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $79,768

Halogen Sources and their Influence on Winter Air Pollution in the Great Salt Lake Basin

The Great Salt Lake Basin is meteorologically and chemically distinct from other regions in the U.S. It is subject to both persistent cold air pools in complex terrain that lead to winter air pollution and potentially large inputs of natural and anthropogenic sources of halogen species. This project will investigate the role of these halogen sources in regulating the severity of winter fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Results from this study will improve estimates of halogen emissions and enhance Utah DAQ’s understanding of winter PM2.5 chemistry.

• Steve Brown (NOAA), Caroline Womack (NOAA)
• Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $83,426

Winter Measurements of Heavy-duty Vehicles to Characterize the Cold Temperature Effectiveness of Selective Catalytic Reductions Catalyst in Controlling Oxide of Nitrogen Emissions

The Salt Lake City region in Utah experiences periods of high particulate levels in the winter months due to the combination of its topography, winter atmospheric inversions and local emissions. Secondary nitrate particles comprise the dominant fraction of the particles in these episodes and are the result of the reaction of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) with ammonia. A significant fraction of NOx emissions in the Salt Lake City area are produced by heavy-duty vehicles operating in or traveling through the area on the interstate highway system. This study will measure wintertime NOx emissions from local heavy-duty vehicle activity in order to improve Utah DAQ emissions inventory estimates and better inform policy.

• Gary Bishop (University of Denver)
• Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $52,000

Understanding Wildfire Smoke Pollution

The wildfires may be in California, but the smoke, and its health effects, are here in Utah. Learn more about smoke pollution and what you can do to protect your health.