Particulate matter (PM) refers to very small dust and soot particles. PM2.5 is the term used for particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in size and is expressed in concentrations. This is so small that several thousand of them could fit on the period at the end of this sentence. Sources of PM2.5 include fuel combustion from automobiles, power plants, wood burning, industrial processes, and diesel powered vehicles. The highest levels of PM2.5 usually occur during the winter months.

Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) are referred to as "fine" particles and are believed to pose the greatest health risks. Because of their small size (approximately 1/30th the average width of a human hair), fine particles can lodge deeply into the lungs.

Yes. The air quality problem in Cache County occurs in the winter, during winter time inversions. During this time there are a few days that we exceed the federal standard of 35

Cache Valley is surrounded by a ring of mountains that push to almost 5,000 feet above the valley floor creating a “bowl” effect.  Under wintertime high barometric pressure systems, when snow has covered the ground, cold air can pool in the valley, sealed by a “lid” of warmer air  (also known as an inversion) and trap pollutants, which continue to build, until a low pressure system moves in and scours out the valley.   

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are at the highest risk when PM 2.5 levels are above 35 PM 2.5.

In general we can reduce your risk by “reducing prolonged or heavy exertion” Prolonged Exertion is an activity occurring over several hours and makes you breathe slightly harder than normal. Reducing prolonged exertion could mean reducing the time you spend on this type of activity. You can also reduce your risk by cutting back on heavy exertion – more intense activities that cause you to breathe hard. This might mean walking instead of jogging or jogging for half your usual time. A chart is available at www.brhd.org .

Air Quality recess guidelines aim to help school administrators decide when to keep students inside during recess based on air quality conditions. It is a set of guidelines and are not mandatory. 

What will the school do?
The school will check the Particulate Matter (PM2.5) levels. This information will guide heir outdoor physical activities.

Why can students be out a recess on a “Red Air” Day?
At PM 2.5 levels above  35.5 the Utah Department of Environmental Quality declares a “Red Air Day.”  A “Red Air Day” means that air quality is bad enough that individuals should avoid “prolonged” outdoor exertion and those who are “sensitive” should consider staying  indoors.  Prolonged exertion is defined by the EPA as 2 hours of moderate or heavy outdoor activity.

Recess is typically 15-20 minutes and is not considered “prolonged exertion.” This is why you may see students outside for recess on a “Red Air Day” when PM2.5 levels are above 35.5.

What can parents do?
Parents, with advice from your health care provider, need to contact the school  secretary or nurse if your child is “sensitive” to poor air quality. Sensitive children may include those with significant or poorly controlled asthma, cystic  fibrosis, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, compromised immune systems, or other respiratory problems.

 

For more information please visit: http://health.utah.gov/asthma/schools/aq_guidelines.html

Air quality forecasts are often given with weather forecasts on local television and radio stations, and are also found on the weather page of the Herald Journal. Another way to learn the most current levels is to visit the Utah Department of Air Quality website at http://www.airquality.utah.gov 

The Clean Air Act identifies six common air pollutants that are found all over the United States. These pollutants can injure health, harm the environment and cause property damage. EPA calls these pollutants criteria air pollutants because the agency has developed health-based criteria (science-based guidelines) as the basis for setting permissible levels in the air we breath. PM2.5 is a criteria pollutant. EPA establishes national ambient air quality standards for each of the criteria pollutants. These standards apply to the concentration of a pollutant in outdoor air. If the air quality in a geographic area meets or is cleaner than the national standard, it is called an attainment area; areas that don't meet the national standard are called non-attainment areas.

In order to improve air quality in a non-attainment area, states must draft a plan known as a state implementation plan (SIP). The plan outlines the measures that the state will take in order to improve air quality. Once a non-attainment area meets the standards and additional redesignation requirements in the Clean Air Act [Section 107(d)(3)(E)], EPA will designate the area to attainment as a "maintenance area."

Cache County violated the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of PM 2.5 over a three year period.

Yes, but alone it will not solve our problem.

The chemistry involved with our PM 2.5 problem is very complex.  Scientists have worked for the last four years to identify the most effective emissions program for our situation as they have tried to identify the source and extent of the problem.  It is critical to target the correct source or, as models have shown, the problem may increase instead of improve.

Together we can most effectively reduce PM 2.5 by:

* Reducing the vehicle miles we travel
* Maintaining our cars and trucks
* Driving the newest, smallest vehicle during winter inversions
* Carpooling

The health department has been involved in many projects to gather science about the specifics of pollution in Cache Valley and also to raise awareness about wintertime air quality problems. Partners in these projects include:

* Cache County School District
* Logan City School District
* Preston School District
* Cache and Logan PTA’s
* Local High Schools
* Logan Transit District
* Utah State University
* Utah Department of Environmental Quality

The goal of the Bear River Health Department is provide the citizens of Cache Valley the information they need to protect their health on red air days.  The following document provides information on how to do this. Physical Activity Guidelines for PM 2.5.