State Responds to EPA Proposal Declaring Scott and Muscatine Counties as Non-Attainment Areas for Fine Particles

Today, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) responded to a proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to declare Muscatine County and the combined area of Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois as non-attainment areas for fine particulate matter. The state of Iowa disagrees with these findings and will respond to EPA with justifications for a one-year extension during the 60-day public comment period. The state also disagrees with the scope of the EPA-proposed boundaries, believing that the area of non-attainment is much smaller and will provide additional data supporting this position.

Recently, state officials have worked with local businesses to reduce particle pollution in the Davenport and Muscatine areas. In the months ahead, the DNR will continue to work with local officials and businesses to narrow, or possibly eliminate, the non-attainment areas even quicker than is currently being required under the Clean Air Act by continuing to collect data and working with companies that are emitting particulates to reduce the emissions.

"We're continuing to collect and analyze data to provide EPA with more up to date information. Meanwhile we will continue to work with industry and the citizens of Scott and Muscatine counties toward the common goal of clean air,” said Richard Leopold, Director of the DNR.

In June the DNR submitted a letter to EPA requesting that a one-year extension be granted in order to incorporate new air quality emissions data. The state feels that significant progress has been made toward achieving the goal of reducing fine particle pollution in the Davenport and Muscatine areas. The industries and communities potentially affected by this regulation continue to work pro-actively to reduce their emissions and bring down background levels of the pollutant.

Fine particles 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller (PM2.5) have been linked to many cardiovascular and respiratory problems such as premature death, heart attacks, asthma exacerbation, and acute bronchitis. As well as increased hospital admissions, doctor and ER visits, medical use and school and work absences.

On December 17, 2006 the EPA lowered its 24-hour ambient air quality health standard for PM2.5 from 65 to 35 micrometers per cubic meter of air. Monitoring data from 2005 through 2007 indicates that one monitor in Davenport averaged ambient air at 37 and one monitor in Muscatine County averaged 36.

Although fine particulate matter pollution has experienced slight variations (both up and down) at the monitored sites since 2000, the area is now above the health standard because EPA has lowered its standard due to recent scientific studies that indicate human health is impacted at lower levels than previously believed.

Because the monitors measure ambient air quality and not specific sources of fine particulate matter pollution, the EPA has directed the DNR to make non-attainment area boundary recommendations that will focus the DNR’s effort in planning to bring the affected areas back into attainment by 2012. Sources of PM2.5 include industrial combustion, vehicle exhaust and wood burning.

The public is welcome to submit comments to the EPA during the 120-day comment period. Submit comments to: Kathy Robinson, U.S. EPA Region 7, 901 N 5th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101, (913) 551-7567. A docket will be established for these comments and the DNR will furnish that information when it is available.