New EPA Rules Could Put Several Counties in Ozone Danger Zone

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Several Wasatch Front counties - including Salt Lake, Weber and Davis - have ozone levels high enough to be in violation of new proposed standards from the Environmental Protection Agency. Utah Director of Air Quality Cheryl Heying says ozone levels are generally most dangerous in during the summer months.

"The ozone formation is very much tied to how hot and stagnant it is," says Heying. "So if we have another hot, stagnant summer, we're going to see high ozone levels."

High ozone levels are particularly dangerous for the very old, the very young and those with respiratory ailments. Last summer, the Wasatch Front had an unusually long string of "red" days indicating dangerous ozone levels. Heying says the new EPA standards are currently open to public comment for 90 days. If the standards are implemented, she says counties that don't meet the levels, or show signs of improvement, could face future sanctions.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW