Stagnant Air Causes Poor Air Quality Across Iowa

Fine particulate pollution levels approaching the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health threshold were measured this morning in Black Hawk, Montgomery, Palo Alto, and Polk Counties. On Friday afternoon, fine particulate levels are elevated across the state.

The Department of Natural Resources recommends that Iowans with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children limit prolonged outdoor exertion until air quality conditions improve.

The EPA’s 24-hour health threshold for fine particles is 35 micrograms per cubic meter. At mid-day today, average fine particulate were 38 in Waterloo, 45 at Viking Lake in Montgomery County, 49 in Emmetsburg, and 39 in Des Moines.

Fine particles are emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources and are also formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Stagnant air masses do not allow the fine particles to disperse, and pollutant levels rise.

Winds are expected to increase on Sunday, improving air quality.

EPA’s national air quality map is available online at www.airnow.gov.

Questions can be directed to Sean Fitzsimmons at (515) 494-6412.