FYI --This appears to officially end Iowa's air quality "attainment" status.


 
Iowa's Scott and Muscatine Counties in Violation of Air Standards 

Release date: 12/22/2008 

Contact Information: David Bryan, 913-551-7433, [log in to unmask]


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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 22, 2008) - The U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency officially notified the state of Iowa today that portions of Scott and 
Muscatine counties do not meet the Agency's daily standards for fine particle 
pollution, also known as fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5.

To protect public health, in 2006 EPA strengthened the 24-hour fine particle 
pollution standards from 65 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 35 
micrograms per cubic meter of air. Nationwide, monitored levels of fine particle 
pollution fell 11 percent from 2000 to 2007. Fine particles can either be 
emitted directly, or they can form in the atmosphere from reactions with other 
pollutants. Exposure to fine particle pollution can cause serious health 
problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular difficulties, as well as 
premature death.

The Scott County nonattainment area includes the townships of Buffalo, 
Davenport, Pleasant Valley and Sheridan, and the area within the city limits of 
Davenport in the townships of Hickory Grove, Davenport and Blue Grass 
(including all of the city of Blue Grass). Muscatine County's nonattainment 
area includes the townships of Bloomington, Fruitland, Montpelier and 
Sweetland.

Townships in Rock Island, Ill., are also included in EPA's designations for the 
Quad City area. In Illinois, the Rock Island County nonattainment area includes 
the townships of Black Hawk, Coal Valley, Hampton, Moline, Rock Island, South 
Moline and South Rock Island. EPA Region 5 officials in Chicago will address 
the determination issues for the nonattainment area in Illinois.

EPA closely reviewed recommendations from the Iowa Department of Natural 
Resources along with public comments before making its decision. The 
nonattainment areas include those where air monitors indicate violations of 
the standard, and nearby areas that contribute to the violations. Iowa's DNR 
will be required to develop a plan and take steps to reduce the emissions that 
form these particles.

EPA weighs nine factors to help determine the boundaries of a nonattainment 
area, including pollutant emissions, air quality data, population density and 
degree of urbanization, traffic and community patterns, growth, meteorology, 
geography, jurisdiction, and the sophistication of emission control resources.

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Donna Johnson

Deputy Bureau Chief

Bureau of Health Statistics

Iowa Dept. of Public Health

(515)281-7221

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