Year after year the state tries to limit the pollution that is released into the air. The state encourages individuals in the community to reduce emissions produced by cars. Air quality has gotten better over the years even with the growing population on the Wasatch Front. Air pollution becomes difficult in Utah because of the geography. The air quality starts to get bad when the cold air is caught under warm air, trapping a “hotbed” of pollution in valley.  

An inversion occurs during the months December through February when the cold air above and the warm air below becomes inverted. The warm layer traps the pollution in the valley causing bad air quality. The Division of Air Quality analyzes the air quality daily and determines whether it’s healthy to breathe.

When the air get hazardous, the community is alerted through websites that show the data encouraged to drive less and stay inside. Elementary schools don’t allow the children to go out for recess because of the health side effects that can come from air pollution.

Doctors at Intermountain Medical Center have seen an increase in the number of problems patients have with breathing. People are more likely to have a heart attack when the air pollution levels are high. With the air pollution, people with lung or heart disease are at high risk for worsening their disease.

“Anytime you breathe you are exposed to toxins and you can have long term effects like asthma,” says nurse Stacy Lloyd, “Even when you stay inside you still can get the effects of the bad air quality. There are even some effects to pregnant women and their fetus.”

Not only does the inversion have a bad affect on a person’s health, but it has an effect on their eyes. Many houses on the mountain now can’t not enjoy their beautiful view of the city. Now all that can be seen is a grey blanket covering what once were buildings and houses.

“Seeing the inversion everyday can make me feel sad that our environment and our valley is so polluted,” says Melissa Orlandi, “It  makes me more aware of our environment and I want to be more efficient with the energy sources I use and and help the environment.”

The levels of pollution trapped will increase the longer the inversion lasts. The longer the air is trapped the worst the air quality gets. Cars are one of the highest contributing factors of pollution and using them adds to the inversion. Being energy efficient will help end the inversion in the Utah valley faster.