Storms Expected to Lower Air Pollutant Levels in Eastern Iowa

Storms moving through Iowa on Tuesday are expected to help reduce elevated air quality pollutant levels in the eastern half of the state.

On Monday, DNR monitoring sites recorded pollutant levels exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards for fine particles in Clinton, Davenport, Muscatine, Iowa City and Waterloo.

On Monday, the daily average fine particle level was 44 micrograms per cubic meter at Rainbow Park in Clinton, 44 at Chancy Park in Clinton, 37 at Jefferson School in Davenport, 42 at Blackhawk Foundry in Davenport, 39 at Garfield School in Muscatine, 37 at the water tower in Waterloo, 36 at Hoover School in Iowa City and 35 at the public health building in Cedar Rapids. The EPA’s 24-hour health standard for fine particles is 35 micrograms per cubic meter.

At midday on Tuesday, 12-hour average fine particulate levels in eastern Iowa remain elevated at around 30 micrograms per cubic meter, but are expected to fall off later in the day as showers pass through the region.

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

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

Questions may be directed to Sean Fitzsimmons at (515) 281-8923, or Mindy Kralicek at (515) 281-7832.