Category: Pollutants

  • Beehive Emission Reduction Plan

    On August 16, 2022,  the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law. Among other provisions, the IRA established funding for state greenhouse gas planning and implementation efforts. This funding initiative, known as the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, includes two phases.   Phase I provides formula planning grant funding for states ($3M…

  • Drinking Water: PFAS

    Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade chemicals used in a wide variety of applications and industries. Common uses include foam used to fight fires, metal plating and coating formulations, polyurethane production, inks, varnishes, and lubricants. They can be found in cookware, food packaging, ski wax, and water- or stain-resistant fabric…

  • Regional Haze in Utah

  • Lead: Division of Drinking Water

    Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials containing lead corrode, especially if the water is highly acidic or contains a low mineral content. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. Lead service lines that connect a building or house to the water main can also be…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • PFAS Workgroup

    The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) formed a workgroup in spring 2019 to evaluate the potential for environmental contamination in Utah from Per- and Polyfluoroakyl Substances (PFAS). PFAS are used in many consumer products and industrial processes to repel oil, water and grease, reduce friction, and resist temperature extremes. These compounds do not break down…

  • Health Effects of PFAS

    Concerns about the potential public health hazards of human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to increase as scientists learn more about these chemicals. The large number of PFAS compounds–over 6,000–present considerable challenges. The available toxicity and epidemiology data are currently limited to the evaluation of only a few chemicals. Different PFAS compounds…

  • Human Exposure to PFAS

    People can be exposed to PFAS from a variety of different sources. Most people are exposed to PFAS from drinking water and eating food that contains these chemicals. Drinking water can be a source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies. Such contamination is typically localized and associated with a specific…

  • Sources of PFAS

    PFAS are present in many consumer products. The number and variety of PFAS sources present considerable challenges for cleanup efforts and prevention measures. The major sources of PFAS contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soils, and air include: Fire training/fire response sites Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) have been used for many years by the U.S. military,…

  • PFAS Basics

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of everyday materials, including nonstick cookware, carpet, textiles, high-performance outdoor gear, coated paper and cardboard products, some firefighting foams, and a variety of cleaning products, paints, varnishes, and sealants. These compounds repel oil, water, grease, and stains, resist temperature…

  • Per- and Polyfluoroakyl Substances (PFAS)

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals used in a variety of everyday materials. PFAS compounds repel oil, water, grease, and stains, resist temperature extremes, and reduce friction.PFAS can be found in air, water, and soil. They are very stable and can stay in people’s bodies and the environment for…

  • 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…

  • Petroleum

    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 for refining waxy crudes presents some challenges. Although black…

  • 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…

  • Inversions

    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 the winter, snow-covered valley floors reflect rather absorb heat, preventing the normal vertical mixing of warm and cold…

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