Fine Particles - What is PM2.5?
The term “fine particles", or "particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5)”, includes both solid particles and liquid droplets (excluding water droplets) that are found in outdoor air. Particulate matter may be emitted directly into the air or can form from pollutants that react in the atmosphere. PM2.5 refers to the size of the actual particles as 2.5 microns in diameter or less. Fine particles tend to pose the greatest health concern because they can be inhaled into and accumulate in the respiratory system.
Sources of fine particle emissions include all types of combustion (motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning, etc.) and some industrial processes. Organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and sulfur dioxide can react in the atmosphere to form secondary PM2.5.
A summary of the quantity and source of particle emissions in Iowa can be found here:
www.k12science.org/curriculum/airproj/3dchart/3d.asp?state=ia&pollutant=PercentPM25
For more information click here.
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Overview of the new standard
The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particles was lowered from 65 to 35 micrometers per cubic meter of air on December 18, 2006. Every year, the past three years of data is compared against the standard to see where we stand. The most recent information on air quality shows that except in two small areas of Scott and Muscatine counties, Iowa’s air meets the current standard. However, in many areas the air quality values measured are close to the standard. Details on the 2006 revision can be found at:
www.epa.gov/pm/naaqsrev2006.html
How can I check the air quality in my area?
The Air Quality Iindex (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted your air is and what associated health effects may be experienced. Those health effects may be experienced within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The AQI can be viewed at:
www.iowadnr.gov/air/current/current.html
Historical AQI data can be viewed at:
www.uhl.uiowa.edu/services/ambient/historicalaqi.xml
How can I check PM2.5 air monitor readings?
Up-to-date (real-time) PM2.5 values can be viewed at:
www.uhl.uiowa.edu/services/ambient/
Click on the “Real-time Continuous Data” link on the left side of the page and then select a monitor location near you and the date of interest. Note that not all of the monitor sites available provide real-time PM2.5 data.
If you live in Linn and Polk counties, go to one of the links below for real time data.
Linn County:
http://www.air.linn.ia.us/Content/Air-Quality/Current-Air-Quality-Conditions-and-Forecast.aspx
Polk County:
www.airquality.co.polk.ia.us/PollutantGraphDisplay.aspx
What is “nonattainment” and how does this impact Iowa?
If monitoring indicates that an area is failing to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may declare that area in “nonattainment” with the standard. Monitoring data for the most recent three-year period of 2005 through 2007 indicates that ambient air concentrations in Scott and Muscatine counties are above the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA has proposed to declare Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois as a nonattainment area and Muscatine County, Iowa, as a separate nonattainment area.
Portions of Scott and Muscatine counties were declared in non attainment for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) daily standards for fine particle pollution, also known as fine particulate matter, or PM2.5 [microns in diameter] on December 22, 2008. The non attainment status will not go into effect until early April 2009.
Before declaring its final PM2.5 designations for portions of Scott and Muscatine counties, the EPA considered Iowa’s petition to consider preliminary monitoring data for 2006-2008. Ambient air concentrations in Scott and Muscatine counties had decreased to just under the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for those years. On October 8, 2009 the EPA issued its final Federal Register notice designating all areas of Iowa in attainment.
There are a number of actions that individual Iowans, communities, and companies can take to help reduce the amount of fine particulate in our environment. Reducing fine particulate can help:
- Keep our air clean and reduce the number and severity of health related impacts.
- Keep our communities vibrant and growing by preventing “nonattainment” declarations and the stigma and growth limitations that accompany it.
The following sections suggest measures and strategies that individuals, local organizations, and business and industry can employ to help reduce PM2.5 concentrations locally and for neighbors living downwind.
Individual actions make a difference.
- Can you carpool, take the bus, or ride your bike more often?
- Will you compost your leaves and put those nutrients on your garden?
- Will replacing your old furnace with a more efficient one save you money?
These are a few opportunities that will help reduce air pollution in your community. For more ideas click here.
Communities can lead clean air efforts.
Opportunities abound for communities to help address existing and future air quality issues. Working to replace aging diesel fleets with new school buses, road maintenance vehicles, and higher fuel efficient biofuel or hybrid powered vehicles can have a significant impact on air quality. Providing incentives for greater use of mass transit, helping minimize open-burning and vehicle idling, and addressing community specific areas of concern can help maintain good air quality. Developing community-based plans for sustainable growth that consider air quality impacts will help assure appropriate air resource planning.
Here are excellent examples of communities that have formed these groups:
Business and industry can take action to keep our air clean
Proactive steps can help promote good air quality, support community efforts, and save on energy costs. By developing mass-transit and carpooling incentives, providing employee education, developing specific operational plans for poor air quality days, managing fleets for best economy and fewer emissions, establishing idling limits appropriate to equipment use, and managing energy consumption to consider air quality and efficiency are just some of the ways business and industries can help. Consider joining the Blue Skyways Collaborative or other organizations that develop and support clean air practices. For more information click here.
Additional resources
