For Immediate Release June 24, 2002

Air Pollution Alert for Scott, Clinton Counties
Air Unhealthy Sunday
For more information contact Brian Button 515-281-7832

DES MOINES-Air pollution levels are likely to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups today in the Scott and Clinton county areas, according to the DNR. Yesterday's air quality was also unhealthy.

"Asthmatics, children and persons planning extended outdoor exertion or vigorous activity today may wish to wait for better air quality," said Brian Button, DNR air quality information specialist. "Those groups are most at risk of respiratory irritation," he said.

According to the national Air Quality Index (AQI), today's pollution levels are predicted to reach the orange or "unhealthy for sensitive groups" designation for two pollutants: ground-level ozone and particulate matter. Sunday's AQI reached similar levels at 124. The higher the AQI, the poorer the air quality. An AQI of 1 to 50 is green or good, 51 to 100 is yellow or moderate, 101 and higher is orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups and 151 or red and higher is unhealthy for everyone.

Ozone smog forms when emissions from vehicles, utilities and boilers and fumes from paints, gasoline and chemicals "cook" or react in sunlight and warm temperatures to form ground-level ozone, a colorless gas capable of irritating lung tissue. Particulate matter includes microscopic soot about the thickness of a human red blood cell.

The DNR is asking area residents to consider simple voluntary actions today to avoid the heat while preventing pollution. To give sunlight less time to react with emissions and smog-forming fumes, citizens can:

• Postpone lawn mowing, oil-based painting and auto refueling until late in the day or evening,
• Postpone unnecessary driving until evening or consolidate errands to use the car when pollution controls are warmed
• Avoid or postpone use of heavy-emitting two-stroke engines such as gas-powered mowers, weed trimmers and chain saws until evening.
• To prevent particulate matter, avoid burning trash, debris and wastes.

Iowans can check air pollution levels at www.iowacleanair.com. "This website allows Iowans prone to breathing difficulty to check air quality and see if they should be exercising out-of-doors or doing prolonged, heavy work outside," said Button. "Air in the orange category is potentially unhealthy for some individuals."

Last year, no unhealthy ozone levels were detected in the area, but particulate matter caused several days of unhealthy air. The vast majority of days in the area falls into the good to moderate categories.