Iowa’s 5-year Air Monitoring Network Assessment Available for Public Review and Comment
Iowa’s 5-year Air Monitoring Network Assessment is available for public review and comment. Iowa’s 5-year Air Monitoring Network Assessment will assist the Iowa DNR in its efforts to monitor the quality of Iowa’s air and to keep the public aware of air quality problems. This assessment is required by EPA’s national ambient air monitoring regulations. It contains detailed information concerning the objectives and purpose for monitors in Iowa’s air monitoring network. The 5-year Air Monitoring Network Assessment and comments will be submitted to EPA after a 30 day review period. Read more about it...

Asthmatics, those with respiratory difficulties, the elderly, children, and pregnant women are the groups most likely to suffer adverse health effects from breathing heavy smoke from fireworks. Smoke from fireworks contains fine particles and gases. These pollutants can be hard on the lungs and are produced from the black powder used to propel fireworks into the sky and the metals used to produce brilliant colored explosions. The Polk County Air Quality Division encourages individuals who could be adversely impacted by smoke from fireworks to view displays from a safe distance and from an upwind vantage point. Those unable to avoid areas of dense smoke should limit outdoor activity and contact their health care provider if they experience difficulty breathing. For more information about the fine particle pollution in fireworks go to the Iowa DNR website at: Read more about it...

DM Annexation Open Burning FAQ
  

The City of Des Moines welcomes approximately 868 new residents who live in areas involuntarily annexed by the City as of June 26, 2009. The new net acreage being added to Des Moines is 5,174 acres in Polk and Warren counties. Becoming a Des Moines resident also means there are some new regulations to abide by in City ordinances that cover everything from the regulation of pets and other animals to minimum standards for buildings and other structures, to the storage and disposal of trash and solid wastes. Polk County Board of Health Rules & Regulations governs open burning.
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Burn Permit Application Decision Chart Available
  

The Health Officer is authorized to issue a permit for an open fire for specific purposes. If you are applying for an open burn permit please review the burn permit application decision chart for guidance. Once issued these permits may contain conditions and are subject to the provisions of the Board of Health Rules & Regulation Chapter V-Air Pollution. View Burn Permit Application Decision Chart

Software Available for Surface Coating Facilities: Paint Software 
  

Paint tracks facility-wide paint and solvent usage on a 12-month rolling basis. This software package is best suited for facilities that are only required to track their paint and solvent usage (as required by some Air Quality Permits). If your permit does not require the tracking of emissions or Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Paint will help you fulfill your recordkeeping requirements... Read About It

Chapter V Air Pollution 
  

On July 28th, 2009 Polk County adopted changes to Polk County Board of Health Rules and Regulations Chapter V, Air Pollution. The primary purpose of the adopted changes is to update county air quality rules to conform to Federal and State of Iowa Environmental Protection Commission rules. A complete copy of the regulation can be obtained by downloading the following document... Download Chapter V, Air Pollution...

New Regulations for Hospital Ethylene Oxide Sterilizers: Affected Facilities Must Submit Initial Notifications to DNR by June 27 
  

Hospitals in Iowa that continue to use ethylene oxide to sterilize equipment may be subject to new federal air toxics regulations impacting these operations. The new regulations are the National Emission Standards for Hospital Ethylene Oxide Sterilizers and were published in the Federal Register December 28, 2007, under 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart WWWWW... Read About It...