It’s spring. That time of year when temperatures warm, mushrooms pop up and the outdoors beckon. Visit our parks and count on better air quality. Air pollutants are down, according to Iowa DNR’s emissions inventories. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide have decreased the most—down by nearly 90 and more than 70 percent. The DNR is looking out for Iowans’ health. The annual emissions inventory tallies reports from facilities that emit pollutants. Tracking air pollutants helps DNR ensure Iowa companies comply with pollution regulations designed to protect public health and the environment.
If you want to dig into the data, emission reports, and modeling and monitoring data are available on the air quality webpages. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency summarizes long-term air quality data across the U.S. And, just published, the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report shows Iowa has clean air. Find out more about air quality trends in Iowa and your neighborhood. Or, explore a few ways you can help keep Iowa’s air healthy.
Air quality awareness week is May 2 – 6.