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WestSide AirSense: Empowering communities through enhanced PM monitoring
We want to learn more about the air pollution in underserved neighborhoods on the west side of Salt Lake Valley. To do this, we’re using affordable air quality sensors in those areas to measure levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particles. We are developing air quality maps and alerts to provide instant, local air quality information.…
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Uinta Basin
The Uinta Basin lies in the northeast corner of Utah and is bounded on the north by the Uinta Mountains, on the south by the Tavaputs Plateau, on the west by the Wasatch Range, and on the east by elevated terrain that separates it from Piceance Basin in Colorado. Duchesne and Uintah Counties occupy most…
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Uinta Basin Particulate Matter
PM2.5 UDAQ began monitoring PM2.5 in Vernal in December 2006. During the 2006-07 winter season, PM2.5 levels exceeded the new PM2.5 health standard that became effective in December 2006. The PM2.5 levels in Vernal were similar to other areas in northern Utah that experience wintertime inversions. The State of Utah is in the process of…
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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
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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Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) Overview
Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of small, solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. PM10 is particulate matter that is 10 microns (μm) or less in diameter. It is a mixture of materials that can include soot, metals, salt, and dust. Major sources include: Air Quality Standards The health-based, National Ambient Air…
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PM10 State Implementation Plans and Maintenance Plans
Nonattainment Areas In 1987, the EPA set new air-quality standards for PM10 of 150µg/m3 over a 24-hour period and an average of 50 µg/m3 annually. Utah was initially unable to meet the 24-hour standard and was required to prepare State Implementation Plans for Salt Lake and Utah County. Ogden City was designated nonattainment on September…