Air Pollution

SALT LAKE CITY -- A group of doctors is declaring a health emergency over northern Utah's lingering pollution problem.

SALT LAKE CITY — The head of a state group pressing for clean air claims it may take Holly Refinery to court over current plans to expand the Woods Cross-based refinery.

Dr. Brian Moench, head of the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, told the Standard-Examiner his group will sue Holly if the state’s Department of Air Quality grants the refinery a permit to expand its local operation.

SALT LAKE CITY — Northern Utah had the country’s dirtiest air Monday, as tailpipe and other emissions choked a five-county region and doctors warned people — especially pregnant women and children — to stay indoors.

SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah’s air quality worsens, state regulators are working on plans to limit everyday emissions, from banning the sale of aerosol deodorants and hairspray to prohibiting wood burning in fireplaces more often.

Regulators say dozens of new rules will take effect by August for 2 million of Utah’s residents along the Wasatch Front. Utah could lose federal highway funds if it doesn’t start reducing pollution along the urban corridor by December 2014.

The new regulations will force California-style changes in consumer products, with spray pumps replacing aerosols or aerosols switching to environmentally friendly propellants.

Cherise Udell thinks her children have the right to breathe clean air.

Six years ago, the mother of two started an organization with that basic premise.

Today, as the head of Utah Moms for Clean Air, Udell continues to operate an organization with only one ax to grind: cleaning up the air.

In the Colorado mountains, a spike in air pollution has been linked to a boom in oil and gas drilling. A thousand miles away on the plains of north Texas, there’s a drilling boom, too, but some air pollution levels have declined. Opponents of drilling point to Colorado and say it’s dangerous. Companies point to Texas and say drilling is safe.