This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Of great concern to me as a parent is that schoolchildren are forced to play outside despite repeated health warnings about our polluted air. The World Health Organization states that levels of PM2.5 particulates exceeding 25 are unhealthy, while the Environmental Protection Agency states anything over 35 is unhealthy.
However, here in Utah, the Department of Health forces schoolchildren to play outside unless the PM2.5 levels exceed 90.
When I've contacted schools and districts, they inform me they're simply complying with the state guidelines and, when I request my children remain inside during recess and lunch, they have argued and refused.
Therefore, when air quality exceeds my tolerable levels as a parent (a glance out the window should convince most reasonable people), and while most parents idle their cars in school parking lots while waiting to pick up their children, I reserve the right to keep my children home from school.
Trevor Jones
Draper