Air Quality Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Tuesday in Cedar Rapids, Davenport

August 3, 2005

DES MOINES-Air quality in Cedar Rapids and Davenport was unhealthy for sensitive groups on Tuesday due to microscopic sized particulate matter, the DNR reported today.

The Air Quality Index on Tuesday measured 102 in Cedar Rapids and 110 in Davenport. Portions of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan experienced similar conditions yesterday. The standard is based on 24 hours of monitoring data.

The Air Quality Index today is in the 90s, or moderate category in east-central Iowa.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) reports pollution levels using a color-coded and numerical range for pollutants. The higher the AQI, the poorer the air quality. An AQI of 1 to 50 is green or good, 51 to 100 is yellow or moderate, 101 to 150 is orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 is red, unhealthy for everyone. Rarely monitored are purple for very unhealthy (201 to 300) and maroon for hazardous (301 to 500.)

Particulate matter is a generic term to describe microscopic sized soots and aerosols. Because small particles can penetrate the deepest parts of the lungs, it can increase the likelihood of symptoms in sensitive individuals, including children, the elderly and those with heart and lung disease when those groups are out-of-doors for long periods of time and engaged in vigorous activity like exercise or play.

Particles are directly released as smoke when coal, gasoline, diesel fuels and wood are burned. Particles also form from chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, organic compounds and ammonia.

Particulate pollution can form year-round, unlike summertime ozone smog, which requires hot, sunny conditions.

Iowa typically has several days of unhealthy air annually, yet the air quality is generally among the cleanest in the nation.

For more information contact Brian Button 515-281-7832