8 Effects within Iowa.

Exposure to air pollutants have a wide variety of health effects on local Iowa citizens and people around the world. Toxins within the air we breathe in everyday directly affects our vital organs especially our heart and lungs. “People living in Cedar Rapids and Muscantine have been exposed to atmospheric sulfur dioxide levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards” (U.S Environmental Protection Agency: Iowa Air Quality Progress Report). Sulfur Dioxide can be considered a pollutant in both indoor and outdoor settings, with indoor air pollutants having potential for greater health risks. Short term symptoms of sulfur dioxide poisoning include sore throat and cough, where long term effects can include swollen lungs and potential for irreversible damage. (EG)

At-risk populations other than agriculture workers in Iowa include children, senior citizens, individuals with pre-existing health conditions and pregnant women. Most air pollutants are considered to be both indoor and outdoor air pollutants including particulate matter (PMs), this pollutant has a wide variety of effects short term being respiratory irritation and acute illness (asthma episodes, wheezing, chronic cough) where long term effects can be much more detrimental and can include increased prevalence of cancers and potential death. Iowa has one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the United States, currently compared to just one other state. This is linked to several different factors including agricultural practices, greenhouse emissions and low air quality. According to the Iowa Cancer Registry 6,300 Iowans will die of cancer in 2025, it is also reported that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in Iowa. Lung cancer can be highly linked back to air pollution, particularly from coal fired power plants. While most of Iowa relies on wind power to source electricity generation via power plants, there is still close to a quarter of power plants in Iowa that are coal operated. Highly aiding in the increase of the cancer incidence rates and cancer deaths in Iowa. (EG)

So What Now? 

Air pollution is something that needs to be taken more seriously within Iowa’s communities. The laws and regulations within Iowa and Iowas counties are not sufficient enough in regulating the very serious and real problem of air pollution. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates and monitors air pollutants and the Clean Air Act mandates states maintain strict levels of known air pollutants below national standards, there does not seem to be correct repercussions for businesses and major emitters who do not maintain the integrity of the Clean Air Act. (EG)

Major emitters are required to use lowest achievable rate technology and move into clean areas to use the best available control technology. While these regulations do help in decreasing Iowa’s air pollution, it is highly difficult to predict where to best place air pollution monitors. Some argue to place monitors in counties that are considered dirtiest in hopes to increase air quality, while others argue for the placement of monitors in cleaner areas where the use of new and cleaner technology is being used in order to maximize effectiveness. I personally think that placing the monitors in the most sensitive counties or cities in Iowa would be most beneficial in regards to achieving air quality, environmental and public health goals in Iowa. (EG)

A recent initiative launched in 2020 titled Stand Up For Clean Air, celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the Clean Air Act which is responsible for reducing air pollution in not only Iowa but much of the nation, and is also responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Stand Up For Clean Air encourages Des Moines citizens to commit to take action on air pollution and climate change. This initiative is not officially noticed or federally run, while Iowa does have various federally run initiatives to reduce air pollution, most of these initiatives focus on the country as a whole and not Iowa specifically. (EG)

There are various different service categories local Iowans and Iowa officials should be utilizing in order to increase air quality and decrease air pollution across the state. Service categories are highly important when it comes to air quality and achieving public health goals. Categorization of services helps isolate effects associated with different levels of air pollution and allows for targeted interventions among populations. The three main service categories in public health can be isolated to assessment, policy development and assurance. Iowa is assessing air quality in a variety of different ways, the DNR is currently monitoring and analyzing various air pollutants. However concerns have been raised regarding the accuracy of these measurements, the Iowa Environmental Council states “However, Sioux City’s air quality monitors are not placed in a location near the coal plants emitting asthma-causing pollutants.” (Iowa Environmental Council, 2023). Several communities in Iowa are lacking sufficient air pollution monitoring stations, specifically the countries that are utilizing coal fired power plants. (EG)

Iowa develops and submits various state implementation plans to the EPA in regards to policy development. The key elements of these plans are to outline strategies and interventions Iowa can be using to maintain NAAQS. Similar to Iowa’s assessment strategies, state implementation proposals can be highly inaccurate and are known for not addressing highly sensitive communities in the state. There are many different implementations Iowa can be utilizing to expand policy development, but unfortunately expansion seems to be at a standstill. The mandation of permanent monitor placement in Iowa countries exceeding national asthma averages near great pollution sources, would provide localized data that reveals the true extent of pollution in these vulnerable communities. Enabling more recepty for targeted interventions and stricter regulations. (EG)

Assurance is very important in reducing air pollution in Iowa because it guarantees that environmental policies and standards are not just a plan but actually being implemented and maintained. While assurance systems and strategies exist within Iowa, there is much room for improvement regarding how often enforcement happens and how thoroughly consequences are maintained. Strengthening assurance efforts in Iowa will help keep air quality laws and regulations effective and equal throughout the whole state. One way assurance can be strengthened across Iowa is by increasing the number of inspections especially in countries that are impacted the most. Unfortunately as of early 2025 the EPA has undergone noteworthy staff decreasement, leaving little room for expansion of inspections.  (EG)