DNRnewsESD

 

For immediate release: Oct. 2, 2013

 

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PUBLIC MEETING ON AIR QUALITY IN MUSCATINE

            

MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McGraw at 515-242-5167 or [log in to unmask] 

 

MUSCATINE - The DNR's Air Quality Bureau invites Muscatine-area residents to
a public meeting Oct. 3 to discuss effects on the community after the city
and nearby area dropped below federal air quality standards for sulfur
dioxide. 

 

Called nonattainment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
identified the city of Muscatine and adjacent areas as failing to meet the
one-hour sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard. 

 

When an area is in nonattainment, the federal Clean Air Act requires state
and local governments to take steps to control pollution. The purpose of the
meeting is to discuss timelines, requirements and preliminary plans to
address sulfur dioxide pollution in Muscatine. 

 

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Muscatine County Conservation Board's
Environmental Learning Center, 3300 Cedar St. in Muscatine.

 

The nonattainment designation goes into effect Oct. 4. The state has five
years to reduce pollution and meet the sulfur dioxide standard. However, the
state must submit a plan to EPA within 18 months showing how that will be
accomplished. 

 

According to EPA, monitoring at Musser Park in Muscatine showed that outdoor
air exceeded the one-hour limits for sulfur dioxide. Short-term exposures to
high levels of sulfur dioxide - from five minutes to 24 hours - have been
scientifically linked with adverse health effects, including
bronchoconstriction and increased asthma symptoms. 

 

More specific information is available at
<http://%20www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryAir/IowaNonattainmentAreas.as
px>  www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryAir/IowaNonattainmentAreas.aspx.

 

Please contact Jim McGraw at (515) 242-5167 or [log in to unmask], with
questions about the meeting.

 

Muscatine is one of two areas in Iowa that are in nonattainment for air
quality. 

 

- 30 -



Karen Grimes Information Specialist




Iowa Department of Natural Resources

P 515.281.5135 | <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Karen.Grimes@dnr.iowa..gov

Wallace State Office | 502 E Ninth St | Des Moines, IA 50319


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