AIR POLLUTION ALERT FOR CENTRAL, EASTERN IOWA

For more information contact the DNR’s Brian Button at 515-281-7832.

DES MOINES-State air quality officials have issued an air quality alert for central and eastern Iowa today due to elevated levels of particulate air pollution. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion out-of-doors until air conditions improve.

Thursday's air quality in east-central and southeast Iowa measured 101 to 108 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. Air monitors in Clinton, Linn, Scott, Polk and Van Buren Counties detected the elevated readings yesterday.

Surrounding counties also likely had similar pollution levels. Similar readings are occurring today and are likely to continue at least through Saturday afternoon.

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.)

Particulate matter is a generic term to describe microscopic sized solids, liquid droplets, or aerosols in the air that form by direct emission or indirectly when gasses from burning fuels react in the atmosphere.

Because these microscopic particles are so small they are able to penetrate to the deepest parts of the lungs.

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