Why We Must Solve the Utah Pollution Problem Now.

I just returned from a three week trip to my beloved home state of Utah.  It was wonderful to see family and friends after a two year break and see all that Utah has to offer.  The roads, for once, were not under construction, the cold air and snow were the same as always and we were happy to be there.  As we drove up the freeway from the airport, the signs along I-15 alerted all travelers of the need to carpool, the air was bad, we should avoid driving if possible, etc. I remembered, I didn't miss the bad air of Utah.

Photo Credit - University of Utah

My wife and one of my kids has asthma.  When they run or do anything outside they would need an inhaler.  Our child was in the doctors office nearly ever three weeks for his first two years of life due to his breathing issues.  I personally am known to get a horrible hacking cough every year that lasts for months.  The cough was so loud it sounded like a dog was barking and had to take prescription cough drops to slow it down.  I have never put much thought into the these breathing issues until I moved to Latin America.

The cars here are worse and pollute more, plus there are about 1,000 more buses (all rejects from American Schools) that pump nothing but carbon monoxide into the air all day.  You would think San Salvador would have more pollution; but the geography of the San Salvador, humidity and rain cause the air to wash out faster than we would see in Salt Lake City or Ogden.  The majestic mountains of Utah hold the dirty air in like a dark blanket and causes Utah politicians to pray for rain. 

After about 10 days, I noticed my families old aliments began to return, even my cough was creeping in.  My newest children felt the affects, their last days they began with the same cough and asthma issues my wife and children had.   I didn't realize the fullness of this until I returned home.  With in hours I felt I could breath again and was happy to be home and my family began to heal.

The Salt Lake Tribune recently ran an Op-Ed from Dr. Brian Moench, President of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists, where he brings to light the bad air issues of Utah.  The piece compares Utah's problems to Mexico in the 1990s and how the country has cut in half their pollution issues.  Yet our Governor's response to these issues simply to ask for better weatherman or to hope for rain.  The Utah State Legislature is hoping for more storms to clean out the constant inversion and the people of Utah continue to suffer.  

When our news media has to advise small children and elderly to not leave their house, then we have a serious problem on our hands. According to Dr. Moench and a number of articles I have been reading regarding Mexico; there are a number of major changes that can be done to improve the situation.

Republicans, which I am one, may not like the idea of pushing more regulation or change, but we are to the point where Utah needs to make a change.  

As my wife and I contemplated this situation we see in Utah, we don't see how we could return until things improve or even a plan to improve is implemented beyond electronic signs and prayer for better rain.  As the international community proclaims us to be one of the most polluted cities in the world (comparable to Beijing, China) and we continue to hit Top 10 lists for pollution, how can legislators and our own Governor stand by, joke about the situation and not begin to create lasting solutions.  Why must we change, for our children! We are headed for 1,000 deaths a year that Mexico experienced in 1992.  In 2013 there were 215 traffic deaths and we spend millions on the Zero Fatality program, but do relatively nothing for pollution that can kill thousands. Maybe spend less time on message bills and frivolous legislation and enact change for the sake of our children.

It could take more than 20 years, but the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.