As of 11 a.m, the average fine particle levels for the day were 70 in Muscatine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2012      

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY FOR MUSCATINE COUNTY

MEDIA CONTACT: John Gering, Air Quality ambient monitoring, (515) 281-6318, [log in to unmask]

Windsor Heights — Elevated fine particle pollution levels were recorded across Iowa this morning. Fine particle levels above EPA health standards are likely to persist in Muscatine County until early Tuesday morning, when northwest winds and precipitation are expected to clear the air.

The Department of Natural Resources recommends that Iowans living in Muscatine County 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 (35 millionths of a gram) per cubic meter. 

As of 11 a.m, the average fine particle levels for the day were 70 in Muscatine. Several other monitors in the state recorded elevated levels.  Fine particle levels were 33 in Emmetsburg, 29 in Des Moines, 20 in Waterloo, 27 in Cedar Rapids, 27 in Iowa City, 33 in Davenport, 24 in Clinton, and 29 in Lake Sugema State Park.

Fine particles are emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources, and are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Stagnant air masses do not allow fine particles to disperse and pollutant levels rise. 

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