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Beehive Emission Reduction Plan
Utah’s Beehive Emission Reduction plan to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions through EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program Comprehensive Plan Engagement Opportunities The Comprehensive Plan will build upon the existing Priority Plan and extend our efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality through 2050. This plan will include strategies to address emissions across all…
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Drinking Water: PFAS
New rule for public water systems To help water systems achieve compliance with the initial new PFAS MCLs, we provide sampling support, technical assistance, and funding for treatment. We strongly recommend community and non-transient non-community water systems begin their initial monitoring as soon as possible to meet the April 26, 2027 deadline. It takes longer…
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Lead & Copper: Division of Drinking Water
Find comprehensive resources and essential guidance for Utah’s public water systems on Lead and Copper Rule compliance, management, and effective solutions for safe drinking water. Read about lead & copper Look at a map of lead water lines in Utah Read frequently asked questions about lead in drinking water For water systems Water system deadlines…
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Lead
Lead is a heavy metal found naturally in the environment and manufactured products such as lead-acid batteries, lead-based paints, leaded glass, solder, chemicals, and older water distribution systems with lead pipes, solders, and fittings. Lead is a persistent chemical that accumulates in soils, aquatic systems, sediments, and some plants, animals, and other organisms. Since 1990,…
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Lead in Air
Lead is a toxic metal that was once used regularly in motor fuel, paint, ceramics, glassware, and other consumer products. The phase-out of leaded gasoline significantly reduced vehicle emissions and lead levels in the environment, but it is still used in some aviation fuels and used or produced in a variety of industrial processes. The…
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Per- and Polyfluoroakyl Substances (PFAS)
PFAS and health risks PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are man-made chemicals used in many industries and everyday items. They are good at repelling oil, water, grease, and stains, can handle both high and low temperatures and reduce friction. One common characteristic of PFAS is that they break down very slowly and can build up…
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Air Pollutants
The Clean Air Act identifies six common air pollutants that are found all over the United States and can injure health, harm the environment or cause property damage. These pollutants include: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for each of these pollutants. If the air quality…
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Petroleum
A very brief overview of petroleum production in Utah. Black and Yellow Wax Black and yellow waxes are thick crude oils with a higher paraffinic content than most crude oils found in North America. These waxy crudes are viscous and have a high pour point, which means they become semi-solid at lower temperatures. The process…
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Particulate Matter Overview
Particulate matter (PM), also known as particle pollution, is a complex mixture of small solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Some particulate matter, like soot, smoke, dust, or dirt, is large enough to see. Fine particulate matter is so small that it can only be seen through an electron microscope. Particle pollution is…
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Inversions
Find out how Utah’s unique geography traps pollution during inversions and what it means for winter air quality. Under normal atmospheric conditions, air is warmer near the ground and colder at higher altitudes. In a temperature inversion, the situation “inverts,” and cold air at the surface gets trapped under a layer of warmer air. During…
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Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) Overview
PM2.5 particulates are fine, inhalable particles or droplets with a diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particulates, which are about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair, can travel deeply into the lungs and cause both short-term and long-term health effects. While larger PM10 particulates can compromise respiratory and cardiac…
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PM2.5 Moderate Area State Implementation Plans (SIPs)(2009-2014)
Review Utah’s early strategies and regulatory plans to tackle PM2.5 pollution in moderate-level areas across the state. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened the 24-hour PM2.5 standard from 65µg/m3 (microgram per cubic meter) to 35µg/m3. While the state was in attainment under the previous 24-hour standard, all or parts of seven Utah counties…
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PM2.5 Area Designations: State Implementation Plan Development
Understand PM2.5 area designations planning and how that shapes Utah’s air quality policies. Nonattainment designation is determined by the EPA when an area or areas within a state persistently exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The EPA has designated “nonattainment areas” for Particulate Matter having an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns (μm) or less…
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Public Comment: PM2.5 State Implementation Plan Development
See how public input helps shape Utah’s PM2.5 air quality plans and ensures transparency in the process. Public comments are a critical part of the decision making process. The Department of Environmental Quality and its divisions and boards are committed to using the public notice and comment process to improve the decisions they make. The…
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Area Source Rules for PM2.5 Moderate SIP
Explore the area source rules for PM2.5 that target smaller pollution sources—like homes and businesses—critical to PM2.5 reductions. The following rules were adopted as part of the overall emissions control strategy for the PM2.5 SIPs. The rules themselves can be accessed online.
