Scott, Muscatine and Clinton counties all received an "F" in air quality from the American Lung Association (ALA) because of high fine particulate levels over the 3-year period, 2006-2008.
The three counties received the failing designation for having a weighted average of nine days or more over the 24-hour pollution standard for particulate matter 2.5 microns and smaller (PM 2.5).
"For short-term particle pollution, fewer unhealthy air days are required for an "F" than for non-attainment under the PM 2.5 standard (of the U.S. EPA)," the ALA reported. "The national air quality standard is set to allow 2 percent of the days during the three years to exceed 35 micrograms per cubic meter before violating the standard. That would be roughly 21 unhealthy days in three years.
"The grading used in this report would allow only about 1 percent of the days to be over 35 micrograms per cubic meter of the PM 2.5," according to the lung association. "The ALA supports using the tighter standard that is intended to protect the public from short-term spikes in pollution."
The three were the only Iowa counties receiving an "F" from the ALA. Two counties, Montgomery and Van Buren, received A's for having low 24-hour PM 2.5 levels.
So far in 2010 (as of March 23), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has recorded 55 exceedances of the 24-hour PM 2.5 standard set by the EPA. A total of 12 exceedances have been recorded in Muscatine (at the Garfield Elementary School monitor) while 10 exceedances have been recorded in Clinton (seven at the Chancy Park monitor and three at the Rainbow Park monitor). A total of eight exceedances have been reported in Davenport, including three at the Blackhawk Foundry monitor, three at the Jefferson Elementary School monitor, one at the Adams Elementary School monitor and one at the Hayes Elementary School monitor.
The lung association report said some of the latest studies indicate short-term increases in particle pollution are linked to: death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes, including
strokes; increased mortality in infants and young children; increased numbers of heart attacks, especially among the elderly and in people with heart conditions; inflammation of lung tissue in young, healthy adults; increased hospitalization for cardiovascular disease, including strokes and congestive heart failure; increased emergency room visits for patients suffering from acute respiratory ailments; increased hospitalization for asthma among children; and increased severity of asthma attacks in children.
For the full "State of the Air, 2010 Report" from the American Lung Association, CLICK HERE.
