pm 2.5
Scott, Muscatine and Clinton counties all received an "F" in air quality from the American Lung Association (ALA) because of high fine particulate levels over the 3-year period, 2006-2008.
The three counties received the failing designation for having a weighted average of nine days or more over the 24-hour pollution standard for particulate matter 2.5 microns and smaller (PM 2.5).
Fine particulate pollution in the vicinity of Garfield Elementary School, Muscatine, exceeds the air quality standards designed to protect public health, according to the 2007-2009 monitoring results released Tuesday (April 13) by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources today (3/10) issued an air quality advisory for Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Counties because of elevated levels of fine particulate pollution.
A 24-hour reading of 35.5 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded Tuesday (3/9) in Davenport, and levels in the high 30's to mid 50's were expected as of noon today in the three counties.
If you've been thinking there have been more air quality alerts in recent months, you would right.
Air quality standards for fine particulate matter (particles less than 2.5 micrometers) in Iowa have been exceeded at 35 locations through Febuary 26, already surpassing the 34 exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards recorded during all of 2009.
And, the 35 exceedances don't include readings from last week when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued air quality alerts for east central Iowa because of high levels of PM 2.5.
High fine particulate pollution in eastern Iowa has prompted the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue an air quality alert for east central Iowa Thursday (3/4) and extending into late today (3/5).
