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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]