Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, How I Wonder What You Are…Up Above The World So High, Like A Diamond In The Sky….That is, of course, if you can see it.

Tuesday, February 1st, 2005, was the first in a series of days that AIR POLLUTION in IOWA harmfully increased.  As a result of a STAGNANT AIR MASS over the Upper Midwest including the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and IOWA, alerts were sent out by the IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES and other agencies.

The associated HAZE was evident locally (Scott County) along the Mississippi River.  The air just wasn't moving or churning as it normally does.  When little air movement occurs, it causes stagnation and the PARTICULATES FROM VEHICLE POLLUTION, (INCLUDING AIRPLANES, TRAINS, AND OTHER DIESEL EMMITTING ENGINES) STAY PUT & CAUSE US TO COUGH AND WHEEZE.

There was also VERY LITTLE AIR TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE up to 8000 feet above the Midwest region. This limited the mixing of the air per Brian Button of the IOWA DNR. No dilution of the emissions occurred resulting in ELEVATED POLLUTION LEVELS.

“PARTICULATE MATTER is a generic term to describe MICROSCOPIC SIZED SOOTS AND AEROSOLS.  Because small particles can penetrate the deepest part of the LUNGS, (this can increase) the likelihood of symptoms in sensitive individuals, INCLUDING CHILDREN, the elderly and those with heart and lung disease.

“PARTICULATES are directly released as SMOKE when COAL, GASOLINE, DIESEL FUELS AND WOOD ARE BURNED.  PARTICULATES also form from CHEMICAL REACTIONS of NITROGEN OXIDES, SULFUR OXIDES, ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, and AMMONIA.”

The AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) is a measurement of pollution.  In SCOTT COUNTY on Tuesday, February 3rd it read 107 & 103 at 2 different locations. In (Cedar Rapids) it was LINN COUNTY 112 and in POLK COUNTY (Des Moines) it read 119.

The AQI is a numerical and color-coded system.  A reading of 1-50 is GOOD AIR QUALITY (GREEN), 51-100 is MODERATE AIR (YELLOW), 101-150 is UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS (ORANGE), 151-200 is UNHEALTHY FOR ALL (RED), and the ultimate tiers are 201-300 (PURPLE), with 301-500 VERY UNHEALTHY/HAZARDOUS (MAROON).

So, what's a person to do?  Assess your own health and those you care about.  Make sure those you know who may be at risk know about the AQI.  For daily updates when a POLLUTION ALERT has occurred, keep track by going to www.iowadnr.com.  Look under the AIR POLLUTION section.  And as always, check your behavior.  Is your vehicle running at top efficiency?  Do you need to even drive it every day?   Do you read labels to see what ingredients may be released into the air when you are working on your favorite project or at your place of business?  Nearly every line of work can be assessed and different options considered.  It could save you money as well as your health.  

Of course, don't forget CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE