money Central Iowans warned to stay indoors during heightened air quality advisory
The National Weather Service office in Des Moines has issued an air quality advisory for portions of central and eastern Iowa through 10 p.m. Friday at the request of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
"Fine particulate levels near or above EPA health standards are expected to increase throughout the day and persist in these areas through Friday," the alert states.
The alert is at the behest of Iowa DNR Environmental Specialist Todd Russell.
Russell said in a telephone interview that although the air quality alert ends at 10 p.m. Friday, it could extend beyond that.
"We are required to put an end-time on our alerts. But yes, the air quality alert could go longer," Russell said. "It could linger until a significant weather system comes in and sweeps it out of our area."
The National Weather Service is forecasting the next weather system could arrive late Friday night. There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Saturday. The chance rises to 50% after 1 p.m. Saturday.
Hundreds of Canadian wild fires have pushed smoke into the Midwest, a situation that has worsened over the course of the year.
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Central Iowans are urged to stay indoors
Russell suggests residents reduce elongated or intense outdoor activities and take more breaks until air quality conditions improve. Individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers and outdoor workers should take extra precautions. At-risk individuals should consider rescheduling or moving outdoor activities inside. Fine particulate levels could reach the “unhealthy” range and even healthy adults should consider limiting their activities.
"For a healthy adult, I think people might just feel irritation in their nose, throat and possibly their eyes," Russell said. "But folks with asthma can be affected significantly. They can even tell there are air quality issues before we see the levels come up. Sensitive people are affected much more."
Local fine particulate levels are expected to reach or exceed the national health standards soon, which is set at 35 micrograms per cubic meter averaged over a 24-hour period. That level is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the weather service alert states.
Smoke's resiliency has taken center stage a number of times throughout the last few years. Little seems to slow its progress down.
"Smoke can literally travel 1,000 to 1,500 miles, depending on where it hits cold air and comes down to the ground," Russell said.
He said this year alone has been "extremely bad."
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"We've had close to 70 exceedances of particulate air quality since May 18," Russell said. "To have 70 in a month is a significant number."
When asked if the fires and smoke are a result of climate change, Russell hesitated.
"I can say that I have a fair understanding of climate change, and I would say that certainly, there is a climate change aspect in the size of the forest fires and maybe that there is an earlier onset of them," Russell said. "But other than that, no."
The DNR and NWS will continue monitoring the situation and release additional alerts if necessary.
Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowa for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Central Iowans warned to stay indoors during air quality advisory
