Ambient Air Quality
The Ambient Air Quality section of the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa works in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency to preserve the air quality of the state.
The State Hygienic Laboratory maintains a network of instruments and devices located throughout the state to monitor ambient air with the exception of Linn and Polk Counties, whose air monitoring networks are maintained by their respective health departments. Currently, the Laboratory maintains a monitoring network that consists of the following constituents:
- Particulate Matter
- Ozone (O3)
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
- Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Lead (Pb)
- Speciation
- Air Toxics
- Reactive Nitrogen (NOy)
Meteorological Data is also collected which may include wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, ambient pressure and relative humidity.
Funding for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Iowa is provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Current Air Quality Index Map
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Moderate
- 101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
- 151-200: Unhealthy
- 201-300: Very Unhealthy
- 301-500: Hazardous
AIRNow observational data are not fully verified or validated; these data are subject to change and should be considered preliminary.