Air Quality Alert for Eastern Iowa

Fine particulate pollution levels in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health threshold were measured this morning in northeast Iowa. Fine particulate levels near EPA health standards are expected to persist until Friday morning.

The Department of Natural Resources recommends that Iowans living in northeast Iowa 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 noon today, fine particle levels averaged in the 30s across Iowa, with higher levels in northeast Iowa. Cedar Rapids recorded 39, Clinton 42, Davenport 40, Iowa City 41, Lake Sugema 36, Muscatine 35, and Waterloo 42.

Yesterday, air monitors recorded 24-hour fine particle levels above EPA health standards at three locations in Davenport: 37 at Jefferson School, 36 at Black Hawk Foundry, and 37 at Hayes School. Levels above the 24-hour fine particle standard were also recorded at a level of 38 at Hoover School in Iowa City, and 36 at Garfield School in Muscatine.

Fine particles are emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources, and are 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.

For questions, call Eddie Elkin at (515) 281-6901.