Iowa air quality alert in place through Sunday

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has extended its air quality alert for the entire state as thick hazy conditions continue to blanket the region.

The alert is now in place through midnight on Saturday, with some possible residual effects from the smoke extending into early Sunday.

The national standard for fine particulate matter is 35 micrograms per cubic meter over a 24-hour period. This level is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

As of Friday afternoon, the air quality in Cedar Rapids was reported to be about 105 micrograms per cubic meter, more than double the national standard according the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Now database.

The smoke is coming from wildfires in Canada. Many of the fires are still considered “out of control.”

According to the National Weather Service, people should limit time spent outdoors when there is an active air quality alert posted, especially for high risk groups, like the elderly, children or those with respiratory concerns.

The Service is also recommending to minimize the use of items that cause pollution, like using cars, gas-powered lawn mowers and other vehicles.

Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. She is also a contributing writer for the Ag and Water Desk, an independent journalism collaborative focusing on the Mississippi River Basin.

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Comments: olivia.cohen@thegazette.com