Air Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Sunday in Clinton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9-3-02
For More Information Contact Brian Button 515-281-7832

DES MOINES-The DNR reported today that Sunday's air quality in Clinton reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups due to elevated particulate matter, but levels have since returned to normal conditions.

This is the second day this summer with unhealthy air in Clinton after ozone smog caused unhealthy air in June across portions of Iowa.

Sunday's pollution levels measured 102, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups such as asthmatics under the national Air Quality Index (AQI), which reports pollution levels using a color-coded and numerical range for pollutants. The higher the AQI, the poorer the air quality.

Particulate matter is a generic name used to describe small bits of solid materials, liquid droplets, or aerosols in the outdoor air.

Particulates originate from many sources such as soots from fly ash, carbon black, automobile and diesel exhaust and smoke from burning of wood, leaves, garbage and debris. Sulfur and nitrogen oxide gases can react to create liquid or solid particles too, depending on the air chemistry, time of year, and weather.

An AQI of 1 to 50 is green or good, 51 to 100 is yellow or moderate, 101 to 150 is orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 is red, unhealthy for everyone. Rarely used in the nation are purple for very unhealthy (201 to 300) and maroon for hazardous (301 to 500.)

Iowans can obtain air quality reports at www.iowacleanair.com.