Blustery Weather Improves Air Quality

An advancing winter storm has produced higher winds improving air quality across the State.

Today average levels at Garfield School in Muscatine were 23 micrograms per cubic meter through the 9 o’clock hour and going down. The EPA’s 24-hour health threshold for fine particles is 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Yesterday, a 24-hour average of 59 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded at Garfield School in Muscatine. At these levels, asthmatics, the elderly and children may experience breathing difficulties.

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

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

Questions can be directed to Todd Russell at (515) 281-8437.