News & Announcements
Air Quality Promoted
Polk County Air Quality New Online Permit Portal Is Live
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/
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
Wildland Fires and Smoke
Air Quality Awareness Week begins today and the first topic is Wildland Fires and Smoke. Wildfire smoke carries large amounts of particulates and gases. Smoke is lofted high into the air by the heat produced and can be transported by winds far from its origin. EPA and the U.S. Forest Service have developed the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to provide the public information on fire locations, smoke plumes, near real-time air quality: https://fire.airnow.gov/
Air Quality News
Air Quality Awareness Week Contest!
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."
Air Quality News
No Open Burning Allowed Until Further Notice
Due to gusty winds and elevated fire conditions across Iowa, no open burning will be allowed in Polk County until further notice. As always, please check the Can I Burn Today page on our website for updates.
Air Quality News
No Open Burning Today 2.29.24
Extreme Fire Weather Conditions Today - Southwest winds will return and increase in the today with warm temperatures returning. Dry conditions remain with relative humidity values dropping to the teens and lower 20s for much of the state. Sustained winds near 25 mph with gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph at times will result in extreme fire weather conditions across the northwest half of the state.
Air Quality News
No Open Burning Allowed Today 2.26.24
Record-breaking warmth will combine with winds out of the southwest gusting to 30-35 mph at times, antecedent dry conditions, and relative humidity dropping under 25 percent through much of central Iowa. This will result in extreme fire weather conditions across much of the state
Air Quality News
Stakeholder Meeting Scheduled for January 9th, 2024
The stakeholder meetings for the local program's air quality division FY25 budget planning will be held at 5885 NE 14th Street, Des Moines on January 9th, 2024 at 9 a.m. Due to inclement weather, a virtual meeting option will also be available over Webex at 9 a.m. RSVP for in-person meeting or to receive link to Webex meeting send RSVP to: airquality@polkcountyiowa.gov
Air Quality News
Air Quality Advisory for Today
Heavy smoke from wildfires is currently impacting much of Iowa. The sky may appear hazy and smell of smoke even though these fires are far distances away. This air is unhealthy for sensitive groups and people are encouraged to reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, or do less intense activities to reduce their exposure.
Air Quality News
Air Quality Advisory through Friday
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued an air quality advisory for all counties in the eastern half of Iowa, approximately from Interstate-35 to the east. Fine particulate levels near or above EPA health standards are expected to remain elevated today and persist in these areas through tomorrow. Elevated levels of fine particulates may be a concern over the next several days as the smoke moves through the state. The DNR recommends people reduce long or intense outdoor activities, and take more breaks during outdoor activities until air quality conditions improve.
Air Quality News
Air Quality Advisory for All Iowa Counties through Wednesday
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued an air quality advisory for the entire state with the worst air quality expected in the Eastern third of Iowa. Eastern Iowa is currently recording fine particulates at concentrations the EPA considers unhealthy. At this level sensitive groups of people as well as the general public may experience health effects. Fine particulate levels near or above EPA health standards are expected to increase throughout the day and persist in these areas thru tomorrow. Elevated levels of fine particulates may be a concern over the next several days as the smoke continues to move through the state.
Air Quality News
Smoke from Canadian fires expected to impact Iowa today and tomorrow
An approaching cold front is pulling smoke from Canadian wildfires down to ground level, and areas of unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous air quality are being measured across much of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. This smoke is expected to impact Iowa today and tomorrow. The smoke is expected to impact central Iowa this evening. Unhealthy levels are anticipated across Iowa as the smoke passes through. Real-time air quality maps and information about the air quality index can be found on EPA’s airnow.gov site. A graphic approximation of the extent and trajectory of the smoke plume can be seen on the map at fire.airnow.gov
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 routine 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, May 30, 2023 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
Less than one week left to submit your 2022 Minor Source Emissions Inventory
Facilities located in the central third of Iowa and portable plants must submit their 2022 Minor Source Emissions Inventory (MSEI) by May 15, 2023.
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
Minor Source Air Emission Inventories for Central Iowa due May 15
Minor source facilities located in the central third of Iowa and all portable plants must submit their Minor Source Emission Inventory (MSEI) for calendar year 2022 emissions by May 15, 2023. If your facility is required to complete this year’s report, you will receive a letter from DNR.
Air Quality News
Air Emissions Reports for Title V Facilities due March 31
Facilities subject to Title V of the federal Clean Air Act must submit their emissions inventories for 2022 to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau by March 31, 2023. DNR requires 2022 Title V emissions to be reported electronically using the State and Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS). Visit eAirServices for SLEIS access help, training, and useful resources, or contact the Help Desk at sleis@dnr.iowa.gov. For additional information on all Title V reporting requirements, please check the informational letter DNR sent to Title V facilities.
Air Quality News
Polk County Air Quality Solar Project
Polk County’s Air Quality Division announces the completion of their Public Works solar project in Des Moines, which was built to support air pollution monitoring activities.
Air Quality News
4th of July Fireworks May Impact Air Quality
Each year we celebrate our national birthday and fireworks displays are a traditional method of celebrating Independence Day on the 4th of July.
Air Quality News
Polk County AQI to reach Orange Category.
6/15/2022 - Polk County, Iowa The Air Quality Index(AQI) for fine particulate pollution is expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.
Air Quality News
The AQI for Particulate Pollution
6/14/22 - The Air Quality Index (AQI) for particulate pollution is expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Category.
Air Quality News
Iowa’s 2022 Air Monitoring Network Plan Available for Public Review and Comment
The air monitoring network plan 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. The plan is required by EPA’s national ambient air monitoring regulations. It contains detailed information about the location and purpose of any monitor in Iowa’s air monitoring network that produces data for comparison with national ambient air quality standards. The 2022 Air Monitoring Network Plan is available by clicking here or going to www.iowadnr.gov/airpublicinput.
Air Quality News
EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Webinar
Following the passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law EPA's new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over five years (2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with new low- or no-emission school buses.
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.