Just as the first Red Day of the winter season was announced, state officials Monday unveiled plans to abandon the time-tested, three-color air quality alert system.

Green, Yellow and Red Day declarations have guided Utahns through the winter air pollution season for the past two decades. Beginning in January, the state will move to a six-color system that attempts to more precisely delineate the health risks at each level of pollution.

“We’re actually making it more effective,” said Bryce Bird, director of the state’s Division of Air Quality.

But the new six-color system is already drawing fire.

“I don’t think anyone’s interests are served by having the public confused about the issue,” said Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.

The forecast of a Red Day today applies to Salt Lake, Weber and Davis counties. It resulted from a typical winter phenomenon: A temperature inversion traps colder air in the valleys, and the stagnant air gets thicker and thicker with smog from cars, industry and wood-burning stoves.

via Utah air quality alert system gets new color scheme | Deseret News.