Scott, Muscatine, Rock Island counties get EPA reprieve

Thanks to lower fine particulate emissions in 2008, Scott, Muscatine and Rock Island counties Thursday (10/8) avoided a "non-attainment" designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA recommended last year portions of the three counties be classifed as being in "non-attainment" for particulate emissions of less than 2.5 micrometers, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was able to submit newer 2008 emission data which lowered the 3-year average for PM 2.5 below the non-attainment level.

The state and local industry groups had been anticipating the EPA reprieve since March after the 2008 data was submitted in late January.

For the EPA's final PM 2.5 designations, CLICK HERE.

The Iowa DNR has been working with two industrial firms - Grain Processing Corporation in Muscatine and Blackhawk Foundry in Davenport - on plant upgrades aimed at reducing PM 2.5 emissions. The plants are in close proximity to two of the air pollution monitors which exceeded the PM 2.5 emission standards.

The pollution control improvements at Blackhawk Foundry are on hold because the plant has scaled back production (The foundry has since announced it had been sold and would cease operations sometime after Jan. 1, 2010.), while the Grain Processing improvements are scheduled for construction in 2010, according to the Iowa DNR.

For detailed information on PM 2.5 and how it affects the health of residents, CLICK HERE.