October 16, 2008
For immediate release
1. EPA announces revision to air quality lead standard
2. Fish kill estimate completed at New London
3. Missouri River Authority to meet Oct. 20
EPA ANNOUNCES REVISION TO AIR QUALITY LEAD STANDARD
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Hutchins, Supervisor, Compliance and Ambient Air Monitoring, (515) 281-8448
URBANDALE – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a more stringent air quality lead standard. The new standard is 10 times more stringent than the previous standard: 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3); the previous standard was 1.5 mg/m3.
The EPA also changed the calculation method to a more stringent three-month rolling average form which counts every exceedance.
Revising the standard will improve health protection for at-risk groups, especially children. More than 6,000 new studies on lead health effects, environmental effects and lead in the air have been published since 1990. Evidence from health studies shows that adverse effects occur at much lower levels of lead in blood than previously thought. The most notable effects of lead are on the developing nervous system. Lead emitted into the air can be inhaled or, after it settles, can be ingested. Ingestion is the main route of human exposure. Once in the body, lead is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect many organ systems.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will establish a new lead ambient air monitoring network to measure Iowa’s lead exposures compared to the new standard. The DNR is in the process of reviewing recent emission inventory reports for lead emissions to determine where ambient air quality monitors would be required under EPA’s rule. Facilities with emissions above or near the threshold specified in the rule may be contacted by the DNR for additional information.
More information on the new standard, sources and health impacts of lead, and an implementation schedule for the new standard is located at www.iowacleanair.com/prof/progdev/LeadNAAQS.html.
Writer: Mindy Kralicek
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FISH KILL ESTIMATE COMPLETED AT NEW LONDON
MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Baskins at (515) 281-8395.
NEW LONDON – A fish kill in the South Fork of Big Creek and a tributary in Henry County near New London earlier this month killed an estimated 1,955 fish valued at $6,570.
The fish kill is believed to have been caused when a hose ruptured during manure being pumped from a dairy operation owned by Dalarna Farms of New London. The manure flowed to a ditch and then to an unnamed tributary before reaching South Big Creek.
Approximately 4.5 miles of stream were impacted by the spill. Most of the fish killed were minnows, but channel catfish, crappie, bullheads and sunfish were also found. The fish count and value assessed was done in accordance with guidelines and protocols established by the American Fisheries Society.
The DNR will seek restitution for the dead fish. Additional enforcement actions could also be taken following the conclusion of the investigation.
Writer: Kevin Baskins
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MISSOURI RIVER AUTHORITY TO MEET OCTOBER 20
MEDIA CONTACT: Bernie Hoyer at (515) 281-7247 or [log in to unmask]
DES MOINES – An interagency group will discuss Iowa’s position on policy issues that affect the Missouri River basin on Oct. 20 in Des Moines.
The Missouri River Association meeting will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the fourth floor conference room of the Wallace Building, 502 East Ninth St. The meeting is open to the public.
The group’s goal is to reach consensus on issues affecting Iowa’s portion of the river basin and determine how Iowa will represent those interests to an eight-state Missouri River Association of States and Tribes at a December meeting in Rapid City, S.D.
Five Iowa agencies are represented on the Missouri River Authority. They include the Governor’s office; the Secretary of Agriculture; the Chair of the Utilities Board; and the Directors of the departments of natural resources, transportation and economic development or their designees.
The complete agenda is available below and on the state public meetings calendar at www.iowa.gov/state/main/pmc/pmc.php under Department of Natural Resources.
o Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC)
o Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan (MRERP)
o Agency Sharing
o Public Participation
Writer: Karen Grimes
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