The very young and old are at most risk, along with "patients who have heart and lung disease," Kanner said.

Citing a Harvard study involving six cities and PM10 particulate pollution, he added, "They didn't find a level below which it was safe."

The panel recommends that Utah:

• Impose a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and retrofits existing plants with new air pollution control technology.

• Reduce the speed limit along the Wasatch Front to 55 mph on bad air days.

• Expand mass transit throughout the Wasatch Front, offering it free to the public.

• "Reduce Utah's air pollutants by 20 percent through numerous strategies such as assessing auto taxes based on a car's M.P.G.."

• Make people more aware of air pollution's impacts, for example by adding an air-pollution course to the school curriculum.

• Pay special attention when issuing warnings about air pollution to note the danger that pollution can pose to the unborn so pregnant women can reduce their exposure.

• Ask that school buses not idle in school yards while waiting for students. "The engine should be shut off to decrease children's exposure to diesel exhaust."

• Encourage school districts to use buses that run on alternative fuels.

As air pollution worsens, said Dr. Scott N. Hurst of LDS Hospital, "we'll see a further rise in people suffering from heart and lung disease."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com