This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
My brothers and I, who were raised in Utah but now live in Washington and Oregon, have a tradition of coming back home to visit our parents for the holidays. But during this visit, I've been absolutely shocked by how terrible the pollution has become.
I worry for my parents' health. My father is already on his third cold this winter, my brother and a family friend got sick a few days after arriving, and my husband and I, who never get sick, have developed a cold and scratchy throat during our visit here. I ask myself, "How could the people of Salt Lake City let this happen?"
I am sure there are plenty of extremely concerned citizens, many of whom have done what they can to improve the air quality, but it obviously isn't enough.
I would love to uphold the tradition of coming back home for the holidays, but the appeal is vanishing. I pray that enough people will make it known that they will no longer stand for the pollution and will do whatever it takes to bring clean air back to the beautiful Salt Lake Valley.
Sage Lazar
Bothell, Wash.