This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Here's one accessory no one thought to display at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: dust masks.
On the weekend the nation's outdoor industry descended upon Salt Lake City, the air was so polluted some people were advised to reduce or avoid exertion and everyone was asked to drive only when necessary.
The inversion, with its thick, gray smog, still hovered above the Wasatch Front on Saturday, obstructing the views of the mountains that usually make the area a top venue for outdoor enthusiasts.
"I've had customers come in and say, 'Sorry I'm late. I've been up hacking and coughing,' '' said Tim Davis, of the outdoor gear firm Cascade Designs.
An inversion occurs when a layer of warm air traps cold, polluted air underneath. Without rain, snow, winds or similar disturbances, the pollution sinks on the valley floor. Public health officials suggest refraining from physical exertion during the inversion and recommend covering your mouth and nose if you go outdoors.
Temperature inversions are not uncommon in northern Utah's basins in the winter, but the current one, which began Jan. 10, has been unusually long.
"We're the only place in the country that's having a problem," said Bob Dalley, who oversees air monitoring for the state.
Many had hoped that a mild storm system this weekend would help stir the low, polluted air with the warmer, cleaner upper air, but there were few signs late Saturday the fog and foul air were lifting.
With the weekend system past, many Utahns look for relief to another weak system expected around Wednesday. Yet, early estimates are that the next one won't be strong enough to offer much improvement, either.
"It might be a little stronger," Dalley said, "but it's not going to be what we need."
Health advisories remained in effect Saturday along the Wasatch Front. State environmental officials say people with respiratory problems or heart disease, the elderly and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Chris Nelson, a spokesman at University Hospital, said there was anecdotal evidence at the hospital of increased respiratory problems among people with underlying medical problems, but he could not provide any statistics.
"If you're someone with asthma or cystic fibrosis or some kind of lung problem, this isn't helping," Nelson said.
Spokespeople for LDS Hospital and Primary Children's Medical Center said they were unable to tell whether the inversion was causing more respiratory problems than typically occur in January.
Kayla MacKay, the principal at Arcadia Elementary School in Salt Lake City, said the cold and the pollution had teachers keeping children indoors during recess most of last week.
On Friday, MacKay said, she allowed the children to go outside for five minutes.
"Teachers were going stir crazy," MacKay said. "Kids were going stir crazy. I said, 'You can go outside for a few minutes and then come back in.'"