DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: ozoneReturn

DNR issues air quality advisory for eastern Iowa through Friday

• 6/28/2023 4:07:00 PM
• View Count 3781

DES MOINES -- 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.

DNR issues air quality advisory through Wednesday

• 6/27/2023 5:06:00 PM
• View Count 3434

DES MOINES -- 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.

Public Comment Period for the 2015 Ozone Infrastructure State Implementation Plan

• 9/18/2018 8:55:00 AM
• View Count 2610

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting public comment on the State of Iowa’s state implementation plan (SIP) for the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone.

DNR to Delay Implementation of Revised PM2.5 SILs

• 7/30/2018 8:29:00 AM
• View Count 2500

On April 17, 2018 EPA released a memo titled “Guidance on Significant Impact Levels for Ozone and Fine Particles in the Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permitting Program.” In this guidance EPA recommended a 24-hour significant impact level (SIL) of 1.2 µg/m3 for particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), which is the same level as the previously proposed draft SIL

High temperatures and clear skies likely to increase Iowa ozone levels Friday and Saturday

• 6/14/2018 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 2760

DES MOINES – High temperatures and clear skies on Friday and Saturday are likely to lead to elevated ozone levels.  

Opportunity for Comment: PM2.5 SILs and AAR Summary Web Page

• 6/8/2018 3:13:00 PM
• View Count 2796

The DNR is proposing updates to PSD modeling guidance and is announcing the release of a new web page. Specifically, EPA’s recently released PM2.5 Significant Impact Levels (SILs) have been incorporated into the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Modeling Guidelines, and a new web page has been added to assist applicants with filling out Form MD. The DNR is providing this information for a two-week informal comment period.

First Iowa Exceedance of New Ozone Standard

• 6/14/2016 12:06:00 PM
• View Count 4054

WINDSOR HEIGHTS - An ozone monitoring site in Scott County Park north of Davenport recorded an eight-hour average ozone level of 71 parts per billion yesterday, June 13. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s eight-hour average health threshold is 70 parts per billion.