From: Debbie Neustadt. These are questions raised by Roy Overton MD. He
is member of Ikes and Sierra Club. There are 5 brief descriptions. Open
burning was brought up at the issues workshop the Chapter held in
January.

Department of Natural Resources
Memo
To: Pete Hamlin
From: Wendy Walker
Date: 02/07/01
Re: Air Quality issues on proposed legislation

Question #1: HF 156 about air quality and CAFOs
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is concerned over the health
effects from confined animal feeding operations (CAFO).  The DNR would
like to work with farmers, agricultural groups, the Department of Public
Health, citizen groups, and other key members to craft a program that
will protect the health of Iowans without causing an undue burden to the
agricultural industry.  We want to develop a program that will enable us
to protect Iowans and their livelihoods.
Question #2: HF 68 about open burning of wood from demolition waste
The burning of wood from demolition waste poses several potential health
threats.  The obvious threat is from the soot or particulate matter from
the combustion.  Burning of wood can produce all sizes of particulate
matter, from 2.5 microns or smaller to larger than 10 microns.
Particulate matter is inhaled and causes breathing difficulty.  It
directly affects people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, the
elderly and the infirm.  The following link provide more detailed
information on the health effects of particulate matter,
http://www.lungusa.org/air/pm_factsheet99.html
Demolition wood could include pressure treated wood.  Lumber is treated
to preserve the wood and make it resistant to insects.  Preservatives
include creosote, pentachlorophenol, and chromated copper arsenate.
These chemicals and their derivatives could be contained in the waste
and released in the combustion process.  The following link provides
more information on treated lumber,
http://www.acsh.org/publications/story/wood/index.html
In addition, the asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutant (NESHAP) could be violated.  With a few exceptions to the type
of structure, an inspection for asbestos must occur before demolition.
Asbestos must be removed before demolition.  If a structure cannot be
inspected before demolition, in the case of disasters, condemned and
structurally unstable buildings, the demolition material is assumed to
contain asbestos and must be removed and disposed of according to the
federal regulations.  An asbestos fact sheet can be found at the
following link, http://www.state.ia.us/epd/airq/airnews/asbest3.pdf .
The regulations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should be reviewed
for possible conflict.
Question #3: Emission Inventory
The emission inventory will track air quality trends, locate monitors to
ensure federal health standards are met and characterize public health
risks in Iowa.  It is not intended to lead to an air toxics program.
The emission inventory will provide information to understand what
emissions are produced in Iowa and assist in regional air quality
planning.
Question #4: Effect of airborne contaminates on water quality, open
burning

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recently published a recent
report on airborne nitrogen causing water pollution.  Much of the excess
nitrogen in US rivers and estuaries comes from air pollution, according
to a Dec. 15, 2000 USGS study. The abstract can be found at the
following link,
http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow/coast/agu_sparrow.html.  In
waterways, excess nitrogen can deplete oxygen, kill vegetation and
wildlife, and lead to algal blooms toxic to people and wildlife.
According to a June 2000 report from NOAA's National Ocean Service, 60%
of 138 estuaries studied had significant or moderate water-quality
problems linked to nutrient enrichment -- and about the same percentage
are likely to worsen in the next 20 years.
http://www.sej.org/go/010110-1.htm.

The DNR has withdrawn the current proposed burn ban rule.  We are
starting the process over due to significant changes in the proposed
rule and due to the interest received. A copy of the updated proposal,
when available, will be forwarded and we look forward to receiving any
future comments.
Question #5: Tracking health effects of air contaminates
Two staff members of the Air Quality Bureau of the DNR are members of
the Iowa Asthma Coalition (IAC).  The IAC is a coalition of local, state
and national groups concerned with asthma in Iowa.  The IAC requested
that University of Iowa permanently host the asthma tracking database.
The University conducted an intensive study of asthma in school children
in Keokuk County, where more than 15% of the children suffer from asthma
or asthma like symptoms.  A report is due to be published on the Keokuk
County study this spring.

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