Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment Information

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment is an environmental non-profit based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our Mission: Protect the health and well-being of Utah residents by promoting science-based health education and interventions that result in progressive, measurable improvements to the environment. We encourage the development of renewable sources of energy, such as wind, as an essential step toward avoiding the unhealthy consequences of our excessive reliance on coal and petroleum. We believe that there are several solutions that if enacted, could dramatically improve the air quality in Utah, and thereby significantly improve our health. From the beginning, UPHE has challenged the expansion of Utah’s refineries, incinerators, gravel pits & mining operations near populated areas. We have supported the drive for diesel emission testing and we’ll be going after those who sabotage pollution control devices. We have advocated for all forms of renewable energy, better transportation options and less urban sprawl. We have brought attention to high infant mortality rates and their possible connection to severe air pollution in Vernal, and how there is no safe level of pollution for anyone – especially pregnant women and young children. We have spoken out repeatedly on the dangers of wood burning because you are even more at risk from the pollution in your neighborhood, i.e. your “microenvironment,” than from the pollution in the community at large. We are currently working to make Utah a lead-free environment for all of Utah’s children.