It seems like the Mormons have finally grown tired of their multiple wives and offspring. So much so that they are killing them with air pollution. Perhaps an exaggeration, but not that far from the truth. Normally, Los Angeles would top the list, but it’s now Utah that has the worst air quality in America. It’s bound to have negative effects on everyone, but pregnant women are especially at risk and the government is to blame.
PREGNANT WOMEN IN DANGER AS POLLUTION RISES
Doctors in the Salt Lake area have reported an increasing amount of issues with pregnant women when pollution is on the rise. Just a little exposure to pollution can cause long term birth defects. Pregnant women are at risk for miscarriages, fertility issues as well as a variety of negative birth outcomes. Unfortunately for these women, there is little they can do as the source of the issue lies in a combination of natural factors and government greed.
WINTER INVERSIONS AID POLLUTION PROBLEMS
Utah is unique to many other states as it is prone to winter inversions. During the winter, the atmospheric conditions are inverted. This has the warm layer on top trapping the cold layer on the bottom. Add in the surrounding mountains, and what happens is something like a bowl of pollution with a warm atmospheric lid on top. The longer the inversion lasts, the more pollution will become trapped. It seems unlikely that mother nature will change its ways which put the situation in the hands of the government.
GREEDY GOVERNMENT FAVORS MONEY OVER PROGRESSION
4-8% of all Utah deaths are due to pollution. This isn’t just affecting pregnant women, but killing state citizens. The largest source of pollution is Rio Tinto, a mining, smelting power plant operation that releases 18,000 tons of pollution every year. While the government in most states is heading towards cleaner sources of energy, Utah gets 77% of its energy from coal. Why the government is stuck in the dark ages of energy isn’t known, but one can assume a large sum of money is involved. Despite growing complaints from protestors, the government doesn’t seem too concerned. Until they are, doctors advise that pregnant women stay inside, and eat fruits and vegetables to combat the effects of pollution.
