About Us
The Polk County Air Quality Division website provides information about how air
quality may impact your health. The website also provides information on industrial
construction permits and operating permits, open burning permits, recent news articles
and Ambient Air Quality Monitoring.
The Air Quality Division of the Polk County Public Works Department is authorized
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
to implement and enforce the mandate of the Clean Air Act and the local regulations
of the Polk County Board of Health. It is this division’s objective to achieve and
maintain such levels of air quality as will protect human health and safety. These
objectives are accomplished through the following activities:
- Issue permits for the installation and operation of sources to persons or companies
emitting air contaminants.
- Perform uniform compliance inspections at industrial and commercial facilities,
in accordance with the EPA's Inspection Protocol for Stationary Sources.
- Respond to outdoor air quality complaints, including illegal open burning, fugitive
dust, excessive emissions and general air quality issues.
- Maintain a network of continuous monitors for ambient air in Polk County to measure
compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
You can find our offices at 5885 NE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50313.