(Health-NewsWire.Net, December 16, 2015 ) A recent study by UHF has measured the air quality by an average person's exposure level to airborne pollutants (particulate matter). It indicated that US has an overall average of nearly 9.5 micrograms of PM per cubic meter, but the people of Idaho is over exposed to nearly 11.7 micrograms of pollutants. California is the winner (not something to be proud of) with 12.5. While Idaho falls on the second place, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illionis falls in respective places.
Early during the year, Idaho Conservation League and Advocates for the West sent out a petition to the US Environmental Protection agency because of a spiking increase in the fine particulate matter in areas of Treasure Valley that lead to string of large wildfires increasing the level of pollution in the area.
The main challenge in Idaho lies in chucking off the air pollution and limited availability of primary care physicians that are points that need to be considered.
Though air purifiers work great, they only help indoors but the outdoor pollutants are still a fact that's worth taking a deep look.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is quite skeptical about the whole issue. Michael Toole of DEQ claims that “based on my experience and background, I do not agree with it..I think overall in Idaho we have really good air quality.”
However, the Idaho Conservation League (ICL) claims otherwise and say that the numbers do not lie and over the years air pollution has gone up especially in Treasure Valley. The DEQ wants to know more about this report.
The ICL say that there is no question of doubt since the air quality is so bad that people with severe respiratory problems have to wear masks to alleviate health risks.
ICL says that people recognize we are not meeting standards and are obligated to take steps to improve the air quality. The state says that it is not violating any federal guidelines but the EPA has to make the initiative and get rid of bad air in the area.
