Wednesday Air Quality Unhealthy in Scott County

DES MOINES-Air quality in Scott County was unhealthy for sensitive groups on Wednesday due to microscopic sized particulate matter, the DNR reported today.

The Air Quality Index measured 107 and 103 at two monitoring locations in Davenport based on the 24 hour standard. Air quality began improving about 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Levels elsewhere across Iowa were elevated, but still in the moderate categories. Other areas of the Upper Midwest also experienced similar conditions. 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.

Iowa’s air quality still meets federal health standards, but an increase in the number or severity of days with unhealthy air could pose clean up efforts. Extreme eastern Iowa typically has several days of unhealthy air annually.

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 solids, liquid droplets, or aerosols in the air. Because the particles are so small they are able to penetrate the deepest parts of the lungs, increasing the likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, including children, the elderly and those with heart disease.

These particles can be directly released when coal, gasoline, diesel fuels and wood are burned. Many fine particles are also formed in the atmosphere from chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, organic compounds and ammonia.

Particulate air pollution can form anytime of year, unlike summertime ozone smog, which requires hot, sunny conditions.

For more information contact the DNR's Brian Button at 515-281-7832.