Air quality advisory issued for Clinton, Muscatine and Scott counties

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources today (3/10) issued an air quality advisory for Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Counties because of elevated levels of fine particulate pollution.

A 24-hour reading of 35.5 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded Tuesday (3/9) in Davenport, and levels in the high 30's to mid 50's were expected as of noon today in the three counties.

When particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) exceeds 35 micrograms per cubic meter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Iowa DNR recommends people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

PM 2.5 pollution is caused by combustion from power plants, industry and vehicles, and levels rise when calm conditions do not disperse the particles.

Exceedances of fine particulate pollution standards in Iowa during just the first two months of 2010 have already surpassed all of the exceedances recorded in 2009. See article here.

CLICK HERE for a list of the largest emitters of PM 2.5 in Scott and Muscatine counties.

CLICK HERE for a list of the largest emitters of PM 2.5 in Rock Island County.

CLICK HERE for the AirNow site and additional information on air quality in Iowa.

CLICK HERE for the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab air quality monitoring site.