DNR Requests Permission to Monitor Air Quality at Keokuk Catholic School

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) air monitoring staff met with the Keokuk Catholic School Board Feb. 11 in Keokuk to gain permission to place an air monitor on the roof of the school building to measure ambient air levels of manganese. The school board is considering the request and will make their decision at its next meeting in March.

DNR air quality staff will hold a public meeting in Keokuk within the next two to three weeks to discuss proposed air quality monitoring at the Keokuk Catholic School and answer questions. The time and place will be announced when it is determined.

Concern for the level of air emissions of manganese in Keokuk was raised in a special report by USA Today in December 2008. Several Iowa schools were identified as potentially exposed to high levels of air toxics from nearby industries. DNR staff has been evaluating the areas and industries flagged by this report for potential health risks. Keokuk Catholic School is the first to be considered for air monitoring by the DNR.

The primary source named by USA Today contributing to possible elevated levels of manganese in the air was Griffin Wheel Company, although other industries may also be involved. Griffin Wheel Company is approximately one mile from Keokuk Catholic School.

“We can only estimate the emissions based on a set of assumptions. That’s why it is important to monitor the ambient air at the school,” said Brian Hutchins, DNR supervisor of compliance and ambient air monitoring. “With monitoring data we can more accurately determine next steps.”

If the Keokuk Catholic School Board decides not to allow air quality monitoring at the school, the DNR will evaluate alternate sites for the monitor.

A number of variables are studied in determining whether an area should be monitored, including the height at which pollutants are released, the topography of the area, and prevailing winds. Most industries are required to use methods, materials and equipment to reduce emissions.

The DNR would monitor manganese levels for one year, sampling the air every sixth day. The University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory would collect the filter samples. Data would be available one to two months after the sampling date.

Manganese is an essential nutrient and eating a small amount of it each day is important to stay healthy. However, breathing extremely high levels over long periods of time may produce undesirable effects on brain development, including changes in behavior and decreases in the ability to learn and remember.

As a consequence of the same USA Today special report, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitored levels of diisocyanates, a toxic identified as a pollutant of concern, in the area around Roland-Story High School in Story City, Iowa. The data from sampling showed levels of diisocyanates that were so low they were categorized as technically “non-detectable” by the monitoring equipment on the site.

For more information about the health threshold for manganese, go to www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/manganes.html.

For questions, call Brian Hutchins at (515) 281-8448.