Fine particulate (PM2.5) levels near federal health standards are expected in parts of eastern Iowa today-including Clinton County. ‘Read more’ for details from the Iowa DNR-including a link to air quality map.A plume of smoke originating from Canadian wildfires is passing southeastward through the state. This smoke plume caused a spike in fine particle levels in eastern Iowa that may last for several more hours until north winds bring in cleaner air.
The DNR recommends individuals in eastern Iowa with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children limit prolonged outdoor exertion until the smoke plume passes and air quality conditions improve. Iowans can keep track of evolving air quality conditions at: www.shl.uiowa.edu/env/ambient/hourlyaqi.xml.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 24-hour health threshold for PM2.5 is 35 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).
The 24-hour PM2.5 concentration in Emmetsburg exceeded this level yesterday, where an average level of 36.3 µg/m3 was observed at a monitor located at Iowa Lakes Community College.
As of 10 am, one-hour concentrations were above 36 µg/m3 in much of eastern Iowa. Hourly levels in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine were 43, 70, 89, 90 and 85 µg/m3 respectively, but are expected to drop as the plume clears from the north.
