From: Press Releases from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Subject: Fine particle air pollution rises above health standard in east 
central Iowa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 4, 2010

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL IOWA


Windsor Heights -Fine particle pollution levels were recorded above the EPA 
health threshold in east central Iowa this morning. Elevated fine particle 
levels are expected to persist until late Friday morning.

The Department of Natural Resources recommends that Iowans living in east 
central Iowa with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children 
limit prolonged outdoor exertion until air quality conditions improve.

The EPA's 24-hour health threshold for fine particles is 35 micrograms per 
cubic meter.

As of noon today, fine particle levels averaged in the high 30s to low 40s 
across parts of east central Iowa. Monitors recorded fine particulate levels 
at 45 in Cedar Rapids, 50 in Iowa City, 50 in Muscatine, and 49 in Waterloo.

Yesterday, an air monitor in Waterloo recorded a 24-hour fine particle level 
of 36, and a monitor in Iowa City recorded a level of 40.

Fine particles are emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources, 
and are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Stagnant air masses 
confine fine particles, and pollutant levels rise.

The fine particle levels in the state have been following a pattern of 
rising rapidly during the evening and nighttime hours, and falling back to 
levels below the standard in late morning or early afternoon.  This cycle is 
expected to continue until winds pick up Friday afternoon.

EPA's national air quality map is available online at www.airnow.gov.

###
MEDIA CONTACT: Eddie Elkin, Air Quality Ambient Monitoring, at (515) 
281-6901 [log in to unmask]

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