News & Announcements
Air Quality Promoted
Polk County has a New Permit Website called OpenGov
Polk County has gone live with our new permitting program called OpenGov. You can now register and apply online for burn permits and construction permits at https://polkcountyia.portal.opengov.com/
Air Quality Promoted
Polk County Board of Health Rules and Regulations Chapter V-Air Pollution Rules Final April 14, 2025
The proposed amendments to Polk County Local Board of Health Rules and Regulations, Chapter V-Air Pollution have gone final as of April 14, 2025.
Air Quality News
Polk County Board of Health Rules and Regulations Chapter V-Air Pollution Amendments available for Public Review and Comments
The proposed amendments to Polk County Local Board of Health Rules and Regulations, Chapter V-Air Pollution are a comprehensive update for consistency with 567 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) references, definitions, procedures, standards and exemptions. The Polk County Board of Supervisors acting in its capacity as the Local Board of Health will hold a hearing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 120, Polk County Administrative Office building, 111 Court Avenues, Des Moines, Iowa, on proposed amendments. Anyone desiring to comment on the proposed amendments may appear and be heard.
Air Quality News
New DNR Payment Portal for Title V Emission Fees
DNR launched a new online payment portal for facilities to pay annual Title V fees. Visit https://programs.iowadnr.gov/payments/ and search for the facility by EIQ number, facility name or ID.
Air Quality News
Stakeholder Meeting Scheduled for December 3rd
The stakeholder meetings for the local program's air quality division FY26 budget planning will be held at 5885 NE 14th Street, Des Moines on December 3rd, 2024 at 9 a.m. RSVP for the in-person meeting at: airquality@polkcountyiowa.gov
Air Quality News
Air, Animals, & Plants
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 News
Air Quality & Environmental Justice
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.
Air Quality News
Air Quality and Climate
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.
Air Quality News
Asthma and Your Health
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
Air Quality News
Polk County Project Viewing Map
Check out our new Project Viewing Map. It will contain updated information on Air Quality Title V and Construction Permits being issued in Polk County. Follow the "more info" link to see the details of the project and leave public comments.
Air Quality News
Why you may smell smoke in Polk County, Iowa
The Fire and Smoke Map shows fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from permanent AirNow monitors, temporary monitors deployed by agencies for smoke events, and low-cost sensors made by PurpleAir. https://fire.airnow.gov/ Users can click or tap on the layer icon on the upper right of the map to select/de-select map layers showing the different data sources.
Air Quality News
What's the State of YOUR Air?
For 22 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report. The more you learn about the air you breathe, the more you can protect your health and take steps to make the air cleaner and healthier. https://www.lung.org/research/sota
Air Quality News
National Radon Action Month
EPA recommends preventing lung cancer by testing your home for Radon. This week marks the beginning of National Radon Action Month. Every January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges everyone across the United States to test their homes for radon gas. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground and, in some cases, well water supply. Contact Polk County Environmental Health for low cost radon test kits. (515)286-3705
Air Quality News
Air Quality Monitoring
Ambient Air Quality affects everyone. Children often play outside during hot, muggy summer afternoons. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air pollution per pound of body weight than adults.