Light Winds and High Temperatures Cause Air Pollution Levels to Rise Across Iowa

June 15, 2007

MEDIA CONTACT: Mindy Kralicek at (515) 281-7832 or Sean Fitzsimmons at (515) 210-7292.

DES MOINES - Pollutant levels approaching U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards for fine particles were present over most of Iowa Friday morning.

The DNR recommends that Iowans with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children limit prolonged exertion until air quality conditions improve.

The EPA’s 24-hour health standard for fine particles is 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Hourly values Friday morning were 20 to 40 micrograms per cubic meter. Fine particle levels from 20 to 30 micrograms per cubic meter were recorded across the state on Thursday.

The EPA’s national air quality outlook for Friday and Saturday indicates that light to moderate southerly winds will develop to the west and will transport in warm, moist air and enhance particle production.

Fine particles are emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources and also formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Stagnant air masses do not allow the fine particles to disperse, so pollutant levels rise.

EPA’s national air quality outlook and air quality maps are available online at www.airnow.gov.