The public is clamoring for an end to the irritation and health damage caused by this winter’s smog. Business leaders fear affected areas will be cut off from federal highway funds and that construction constraints loom if the problem isn’t solved.
Meanwhile, nothing can be done about two sources of Utah’s air-quality woes —weather and geography. So, air-quality scientists must focus on the one factor that can be controlled — pollution.
On transportation, responsible for at least half of the winter smog, the state hopes to encourage companies to reduce fleet idling, boost carpooling, support telecommuting and eye other strategies for easing pollution on mandatory action days.
On the lower-fume consumer products, air-quality officials doubt Utahns will notice any differences. These low-VOC products are already sold in 38 states that have adopted model regulations from the Consumer Product Specialty Association, the Personal Care Products Council and the American Coatings Association.
Meanwhile, the switch is expected to have a big impact on Utah’s smog problems, thanks to an estimated 8,000-ton-a-year cut throughout northern Utah. With the new regulation, current emissions from these kinds of products would be halved.
The Environmental Working Group, which publishes ratings for household-cleaning chemicals and personal-care products, notes that updated formulations are less hazardous for the air both outside and indoors. Salt Lake Tribune
