Bad Air Risks Worsen Health Problems, Increases Outdoor Guidelines

By Jenn Staley

The recurring smog that lingers over the Salt Lake Valley continues to keep administrators, parents, and environmentalists wary and are cautious. While there is much concern over the environmental effects the inversion is having, there are still problems that exist in elementary schools.

All elementary schools in the Jordan and Canyon districts follow a specific set of guidelines for when the air quality could affect students at recess or outdoor gym. The guidelines, can be found on the Utah Department of Health’s Asthma Program website (www.health.utah.gov/asthma). While state law or policy does not mandate the guidelines, they include strategies to help schools make informed decisions. Parents with students that have respiratory problems are encouraged to work with the schools to come up with alternate recess plans.

Steve Dunham, Jordan District’s Assistant Communications Director said, “On air quality alert days, principals are required to check pollution levels. Those principals will most likely check the levels two to three times a day. For example, if the day is a red alert day, the principal would keep children in with respiratory problems.”

Dunham also added that he did not know if there have been regulations set up for secondary schools.

Nanette Hosenfelb with the Salt Lake County Forecast Office said, “Typically the weather effects the pollution. Especially during the wintertime. High pressure in the Valley doesn’t allow the air below to mix with the air above in the atmosphere, resulting in an inversion. While the inversion in the Valley affects the weather, I know that many other things are affected. The Department of Environmental Quality is working to set tighter regulations on emissions released into the air.”