Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Air pollution impacts animals and plants through a variety of pathways - directly through the air and indirectly through the water and soil. Air Quality Awareness Week is a great time to learn how air pollution impacts our ecosystems and the work that EPA is doing to protect air quality and our ecosystems. Learn more about how EPA researchers are delivering tools, data, and information necessary to accurately account for ecosystem services in decisions, and to help advance healthy, sustainable, and more prosperous communities visiting EPA's Ecosystems Research website.
Air Quality Awareness Week highlights resources that increase air quality awareness and encourages people to take action and incorporate air quality knowledge into their daily living. The Polk County Air Quality Department would like to invite all 6th-12th grade science classrooms within Polk County to participate in a poster presentation contest on the importance of Air Quality. This year's Air Quality Awareness theme is "Knowing Your Air."
Polk County Air Quality has launched a new online permit portal called EZ Air Permits Portal (EZAPP). With this portal you will be able to submit applications and documentation for Construction Permits, Annual Operating Permits, Burn Permits and Training Fire Permits. You may find a link for the portal on our website https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/public-works/air-quality/
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, Tribal affiliation, or disability with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. EPA's AQAW is the perfect time to learn more about environmental justice and the work that EPA has done, and continues to do, to further address in equity of environmental harms and risks located in communities with environmental justice concerns.
Clean air is important to everyone, every day. Air Quality Awareness Week highlights the work that EPA and our partners are doing to understand how climate change is impacting air quality and address the connected challenges of climate change and air pollution. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital for addressing climate change and protecting air quality.
Did you know that May 7, 2024, is World Asthma Day? May is also Asthma Awareness Month! Air Quality Awareness Week is a great time to learn what asthma is, how air quality affects people who have asthma, and how to manage environmental asthma triggers to improve quality of life. #AQAW2024