Air Quality Advisory for East Central Iowa

Fine particle pollution levels were recorded above the EPA health threshold in east central Iowa this morning. Elevated fine particle levels are expected to persist until late Friday morning.

The Department of Natural Resources recommends that Iowans living in east central 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.

As of noon today, fine particle levels averaged in the high 30s to low 40s across parts of east central Iowa. Monitors recorded fine particulate levels at 45 in Cedar Rapids, 50 in Iowa City, 50 in Muscatine, and 49 in Waterloo.

Yesterday, an air monitor in Waterloo recorded a 24-hour fine particle level of 36, and a monitor in Iowa City recorded a level of 40.

Fine particles are emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources, and are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Stagnant air masses confine fine particles, and pollutant levels rise.

The fine particle levels in the state have been following a pattern of rising rapidly during the evening and nighttime hours, and falling back to levels below the standard in late morning or early afternoon. This cycle is expected to continue until winds pick up Friday afternoon.

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

For questions contact Eddie Elkin at (515) 281-6901, or at edward.elkin@dnr.iowa.gov