Comments about ‘Letter: Elected officials need to take air quality seriously’

Ironically, our air would be much worse if not for the feds. Utah politicos refuse to rise above minimum standards for air quality but the feds are holding their feet to the fire. If we do see better air here, it'll only be because the feds forced Utah to make it so.

I too moved here in the Fall of 2008. I can't believe the poor, AND WORSENING, air quality and the fact that no elected officials are addressing it. They seem to be willing to sacrifice the health of the tax payers and the health of Utah's tourist economy for the the sake of big business. This needs to be the number one topic for elections. Also don't forget the poor and worsening groundwater quality here which will haunt this State for decades to come even if actions were taken today. Shame on the elected officials for selling the tax payers out.

Good letter, Louise. Spot-on.

And to the Deseret News editors, re the photo accompanying Louise's letter, are you really trying to tell us that there was snow covering Highland High School, the east bench and the Oquirrh Mountains "last Thursday?"

Unfortunately, it primarily seems to be those suffering the health effects of our poor air quality who take the problem seriously. The rest of us shrug, complain a bit, and continue to drive solo to work and errands. If it's not your kid suffering, it's no big deal.

If I had respiratory problems that were caused or worsened by the air quality, I would do everything I could to move my family far from here. Seriously. It's never going to get much better; cars & industries are cleaner than they used to be but there are 2 million of us living along the Wasatch Front, with more born every day.

Re: "If I had respiratory problems that were caused or worsened by the air quality, I would do everything I could to move my family far from here."

Sounds like a good plan.

Yes, the issue of clean air should be taken seriously. But these efforts must be done in cost effective ways. We also live in geographic conditions that somewhat limit our air quality.

It truly is possible to go overboard with severe air restrictions and spend huge additional amounts of money in this effort, all for very little real improvement in air quality.

If we go too far, we'll erode our freedom, stifle our economy, and throw people out of work. I'd rather keep our freedom and use our finite funds in areas with significant proven health benefits.

We know in Utah that we are in no way responsible for the climate. So we don't have to do anything about it.

I have to laugh about the people complaining about the air quality in Utah. If you look at the studies there are fewer pollutants now than there were 30 years ago.

The funniest comments are from the people who have moved here. People who don't understand the unique situation of this valley forget that we live in a giant bowl. For example, when we get fires, or when Nevada or California have large fires, the Salt Lake Vally ends up trapping the smoke.

How do you propose we regulate the smoke from fires? Even if we shut down all manufacturing and all non-electric vehicles in the valley, it wouldn't change the problem. So tell us, how do we regulate smoke from fires?