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Study Areas:
Pollutants:
Other Related Data :
Windblown dust (usually coarse particulate matter) is the most significant particulate matter concern in the rural areas of Utah. There are two types of coarse particulate matter that have been monitored in Utah, total suspended particulate (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10). The current health standard for coarse particulate is expressed as PM10. Coarse particulate matter has been measured throughout Utah and the rural areas of the state have consistently been well below the health standard. High PM10 levels are concentrated in the urban areas of the state along the Wasatch Front, and occur primarily during winter temperature inversions.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been measured in the urban areas of Utah, and UDAQ will begin monitoring PM2.5 in Vernal in January 2007. The northern areas of Utah that experience temperature inversions are not meeting the new health standard for PM2.5. PM2.5 data have not been collected in rural areas. Areas that experience strong temperature inversions may have elevated PM2.5 levels during these episodes.
There is no evidence to indicate that oil and gas development in rural areas is adversely affecting PM levels. However, fugitive dust from construction and drilling activities and from travel on dirt roads may create localized problems.