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Environmental
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Quality
Iowa
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Preface
The Environmental Profile is a report
to the people of Iowa on the quality of
their environment.
At one time natural cleansing pro-
cesses were adequate to maintain a
livable environment, but these pro-
cesses have not been able to keep
pace with rapidly evolving modern
society. Our aim for the future of
Iowa must be to reach a reasonable
balance between the benefits of
economic growth (with its attendant
increased energy demands) and the
need for healthful air, clean water,
and the aesthetic qualities of life that
characterize the State.
Toward this end, I invite all lowans to
be involved in identifying and solving
environmental problems.
The technical data on which this re-
port is based are available from the
Region VII office of the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA). Any
persons interested in investigating a
particular topic in greater depth or
those needing additional detail for
planning or management purposes
should contact this office. Updated
reports will be issued as im-
provements and expansions to the in-
formation become available.
Your comments, questions, and sug-
gestions are welcome.
Kathleen Q. Camin, Ph.D.
Regional Administrator
Region VII, U.S. EPA
S FnvFrorrmFnfaT rVofecfforr
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Contents
Page Number
Water Resources 6
Air Quality 22
Solid Wastes 28
Hazardous Materials 30
Pesticides 32
Radiation 34
Noise 36
EPA Mission 38
Further Information 39
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Introduction
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Ne-
braska, which make up EPA Region
VII, are among the leading corn and
wheat producing States in the Na-
tion. These States also produce a
significant share of the soybeans,
grain sorghum, fat cattle, and fin-
ished hogs that are supplied to
American and foreign markets.
Although the States in Region VII can
best be characterized as rural, 65 per-
cent of their nearly 12 million people
live in urban areas. In Iowa, metro-
politan areas such as Cedar Rapids
and Des Moines have environmental
problems resulting from major indus-
trial operations, municipal services,
transportation, and energy produc-
tion. Metropolitan areas, however, do
4
not have a monopoly on environ-
mental problems. Hundreds of com-
munities with populations of less
than 5000 have some of the same
problems, but suffer the disadvan-
tage of having inadequate tax bases
to deal with them.
Few realize the extent and serious-
ness of the results of air pollution. It
not only harms public health, but also
corrodes physical structures of all
kinds and damages agricultural
crops.
Air quality varies widely throughout
the region. Pollution in rural areas
may result from higher-than-recom-
mended background levels of sus-
pended particles, whereas pollution
in urban areas comes from industry
and transportation. The means of
controlling air pollution depends on
the meteorology, the sources, and
the background air characteristics,
which will differ from area to area.
Iowa is blessed with an abundance of
high-quality waters. Northeastern
Iowa contains some of the Nation's
finest streams and lakes. Neverthe-
less, many of our streams, rivers, and
lakes are polluted. It would be dif-
ficult to find a body of water that
does not bear some mark of man's
activities. The pollution comes from
various sources: inadequately
treated sewage from some communi-
ties; oil and chemical spills by in-
dustry; and animal wastes, fertilizer,
salts, and pesticides from farms.
Solid waste (some of which is hazard-
ous) is a problem to everyone. Mil-
lions of tons are discarded in the
Region each year. This waste ranges
from common household trash to
complex materials in industrial
wastes, sewage sludge, agricultural
residues, mining refuse, and path-
ological wastes from institutions
such as hospitals and laboratories.
Many dangerous materials discarded
by society over the past few decades
have endured in the environment.
These materials may contribute to
the pollution of groundwater because
of improperly sited or operated land-
fills and surface waste disposal
ponds. This is particularly critical in
Region VII because nearly half of the
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population uses groundwater as a
source of drinking water. In addition,
improper handling or disposal of haz-
ardous waste can cause other kinds
of environmental damage, such as air
pollution, contamination of the food
chain, and poisoning by direct con-
tact.
The Environmental Protection Agen-
cy (EPA) is engaged in a massive ef-
fort to restore America's water qual-
ity, to reduce air pollution, and to find
a comprehensive approach to other
environmental problems associated
with pesticide use, radiation, solid
and hazardous waste disposal,
mechanically generated noise, and
toxic substances. The EPA is first
and foremost a regulatory agency
with responsibility for setting and en-
forcing standards. The agency also
offers technical and financial
assistance for environmental protec-
tion efforts at all levels of govern-
ment.
As a research body, the EPA monitors
and analyzes the environment and
conducts scientific studies. The
agency provides technical and scien-
tific information to the public and the
training necessary to develop the
skilled environmental capability that
the Nation needs.
The EPA, State and local govern-
ments, and private citizens must
work together to restore the quality of
our environment and protect the
Region's natural resources for future
generations.
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Water Resources
Sources of Water Pollution
Water plays a crucial role in the lives
of every person living in Iowa. Good
quality water for drinking, agri-
culture, and other daily needs is
essential. Water is also needed for
recreational activities such as swim-
ming, fishing, and boating. Cities and
towns that have grown along water-
ways frequently depend on these
waterways for waste disposal and
sometimes for water supply. In-
dustries require fresh water to pro-
duce goods and to carry away treated
wastes resulting from their opera-
tions.
As a result of the demand made on
them, the waterways of Iowa are
often contaminated. Pollution
sources can be categorized as either
point or nonpoint. A point source is a
polluting discharge with an iden-
tifiable outlet, such as a pipe to a
lake or stream. Examples are in-
dustrial and municipal wastewater
treatment plants. A nonpoint source
has no particular outlet; rather, it
allows pollutants to enter the water-
ways at several different places and
often over broad areas. Examples of
contaminants from nonpoint sources
include fertilizers, pesticides, and
sediment from agricultural practices;
metals, salts, solids, and other con-
taminants in runoff from city streets;
and sulfates, metals, and solids from
mining activities.
Both point and nonpoint sources af-
fect the water quality of Iowa's rivers.
The lowered quality manifests itself
in such things as fish kills and lake
use impairment. These same pollu-
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tant sources also affect Iowa's
groundwater, which is the principal
source of drinking water.
Point Sources
Point source discharges into water
bodies are both municipal and non-
municipal in nature.
The people and industries served by
municipal sewerage generate more
than 25 billion gallons of sewage
every day in the United States. In the
past, some communities provided
only primary treatment of their waste;
that is, they screened floating solids
and allowed other solids to settle in
holding ponds. Present laws require
that wastewater be further treated by
a series of processes called "secon-
dary treatment," which is required of
all publicly owned sewage treatment
plants. In certain cases, treatment
beyond the secondary level may be
mandated to meet water quality stan-
dards in the receiving streams or
lakes.
Recognizing that many State and
local governments could not afford to
build needed treatment facilities
without financial assistance, Con-
gress developed a program of Fed-
eral aid, in which grants are offered
to cover 75 percent of the costs of
constructing publicly owned sewage
treatment works. The State govern-
ment pays 5 percent of the remaining
25 percent and the local government
pays 20 percent. The graph shows the
amount of Federal construction
Federal Support Obligated for Wastewater Treatment Facilities
in Iowa
100
90
80
70
60
m
~o
o
en
c
o
50
40
30
20
10
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
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Water Resources
Sources of Water Pollution (continued)
Point Sources (continued)
grants provided in Iowa in recent
years. More than 17,000 such grant
projects are active nationwide.
The EPA has established effluent
limits on the amount and kind of
pollutants that can be discharged
from various categories of non-
municipal sources such as chemical
plants, oil refineries, and meat pack-
ing plants. No point source, muni-
cipal or nonmunicipal, can discharge
wastes into a body of water unless it
first obtains a permit from the State.
The permit states what and how
much can be discharged and still
meet effluent limits and water quality
standards. The pie charts show com-
pliance with permit conditions.
Federal and state agencies also use
other means of controlling pollution
from point sources. These include
(1) a requirement that some very
strong or toxic industrial wastes be
"pretreated" before they are
discharged into public sewer sys-
tems, (2) a special program to
regulate toxic pollutants, and (3) the
issuance of permits for disposal and
use of dredged and fill material in or
near the water.
Percentage of Major Sources Meeting Permit
Requirements for Effluents in Iowa
(1979)
64
Municipal Sources
45
Industrial Sources
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Nonpoint Sources
Agricultural runoff is a major non-
point source of pollutants. Runoff
from farming and grazing land con-
tributes significant amounts of
suspended solids, nutrients, and
bacterial contamination to Iowa's
water.
Iowa has prepared a water quality
management plan to assess existing
and possible water quality problems
and is developing a strategy to deal
with these problems. A key element
of this planning has been the
designation of those areas most in
need of practical and effective
measures to curb runoff from
agricultural operations and thereby
minimize soil erosion and water con-
tamination. Known as Best Manage-
ment Practices, these measures in-
clude terraces, drainage tiles,
grassed waterways, schedules for ef-
ficient application of fertilizers and
pesticides, and other conservation
practices.
The water quality management plan
also deals with pollution from other
nonpoint sources, such as urban
stormwater runoff, septic tank and
wastewater lagoon failures, roadside
erosion, streambank erosion, con-
struction site runoff, and leaching
from landfills.
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Water Resources
Rivers
Stream Quality
The 1983 goal of the Clean Water Act
is to make our Nation's waters suit-
able for swimming and fishing
wherever that goal is attainable.
Many types of pollutants now affect
these and other uses. Important as-
pects of clean water are described
below.
•Water temperature is vital. Each
fish species has its own range
of water temperature tolerance.
When these tolerances are ex-
ceeded, aquatic life can be
harmed.
• Oxygen dissolved in water is as
important to aquatic life as ox-
ygen in air is to humans. Pol-
lutants such as improperly
treated sewage can deplete ox-
ygen and suffocate fish and
other aquatic life.
•The pH of water, which relates
to the acidity and alkalinity, is
measured on a scale from 0 to
14. The value of 7 is considered
neutral; anything over 7 is alka-
line; anything under 7 is acidic.
Either too high or too low a pH
adversely affects stream life. Ex-
treme values in either direction
can be harmful in themselves or
can increase the toxicity of
other substances in the water.
Changes in pH can affect fish
life by preventing fish eggs from
hatching and by destroying
floating plants and animals that
serve as food for the fish.
10
•The trophic state of a river refers
to the productivity of the water.
An overabundance of nutrients,
especially nitrogen and phos-
phorus, can create excessive
plant growth, which not only is
unsightly, but also affects
recreational and other uses of
the water.
•The toxicity of water refers to
the concentrations of toxic ma-
terials found in it. Pesticides,
polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), heavy metals, cyanide,
and ammonia are examples of
toxic materials.
•Excessive levels of bacteria
cause streams to be unfit for ac-
tivities involving human contact,
such as water-skiing and swim-
ming. The amount of fecal col-
iform (bacteria that normally live
in the intestines of humans and
other warm-blooded animals) is
directly related to the amount
and kinds of pollution from sew-
age and animal waste sources
in the water. These bacteria are
used as indicator organisms to
alert the possible presence of
other, more harmful organisms
in the water.
•The total volume of solids refers
to the dissolved and suspended
material in the water. These
solids affect the clarity, hard-
ness, and corrosiveness of the
water.
•Aesthetic value refers to the
general beauty and quality of
the water and takes into con-
sideration the levels of oil and
grease, visual clarity, and taste-
tainting chemicals.
The information depicted in the
stream quality map is based on a
comparison of those physical, chem-
ical, and biological data with recom-
mended Federal Water Quality
Criteria.
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Stream Quality
(1972-1978)
Water Quality Problems
o Oxygen
T Organic toxicants
B Bacteria
N Nutrients
s Solids
M Toxic metals
A Aesthetic deterioration
— Meets Federal water quality goals
Moderate water quality; provisionally
meets Federal water quality goals
Does not meet Federal water quality goals
Insufficient data to determine quality
Water quality improving
Water quality deteriorating
fB-N-S-A
Note Where no arrows are shown for a
stretch of river, either the water
quality has been stable for the
past 7 years or data were insufficient
to determine trends
11
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Water Resources
Lakes
Lakes are important water resources
for recreation, water supply, and
aesthetic appeal. Increases in pollu-
tion from nutrients such as nitrogen
and phosphorus can impair the value
of Iowa lakes. Although plant life is
an important part of a lake's eco-
system, an overabundance of
nutrients will cause excessive
growth of algae and larger plants.
Such overgrowth can choke the lake
of needed oxygen, decrease light
penetration, and be a nuisance to
those using the lake for recreational
or other purposes. Siltation and tur-
bidity from agricultural runoff, con-
struction activity, and other nonpoint
sources may also affect light pene-
tration and contribute to premature
filling of lakes by sedimentation.
Publicly owned lakes with these and
other water quality problems may
receive help through the Clean Lakes
Program. This program provides
funds to assist the State of Iowa in
(1) ranking its public lakes, (2) con-
ducting lake studies, and (3) restor-
ing and protecting these lakes. The
following lakes have received assis-
tance under this program: Blue Lake,
Green Valley Lake, Lenox City Lake,
Lake Manawa, Olewein Lake, and
Swan Lake.
The table shows the level of impair-
ment to principal lakes resulting from
pollution. The map shows the prin-
cipal lakes in Iowa — those that have
a surface area greater than 6400
acres and some smaller lakes that
have significant recreational impor-
tance, are easily accessible to urban
areas, or are used extensively by the
public.
Principal Lakes
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Pollution-Related Use Impairment of Principal Iowa Lakes
(1980)
Lake
Big Creek
Big Spirit Lake
Clear Lake
Coralville Reservoir
Lake Macbride
Lake Manawa
Rathbun Reservoir
Red Rock Reservoir
Saylorville Reservoir
West Okoboji Lake
Low impairment
Surface Area,
acres
900
4,170
3,680
4,800
810
640
11,000
8,950
5,280
3,940
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Aesthetics
| | Moderate impairment
Severe impairment
13
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Water Resources
Fish Kills
Reports indicate that approximately
6000 fish were killed in four separate
incidents of water pollution in Iowa in
1976. The most significant of these
incidents, which killed 2500 fish, was
caused by fertilizer spilled into Otter
Creek near Elgin in Fayette County.
The accompanying map shows the
location, size, and cause of the 1976
kills.
Because reporting is entirely volun-
tary, the information shown probably
represents only a fraction of the kills
that occurred. Numerous small kills
go unnoticed or unreported, and
some significantly large kills are not
included because information is in-
sufficient to determine if the kills
resulted from pollutants in the water
or from natural causes.
Reported Pollution-Caused Fish Kills
(1976)
PLYMOUTH | CHEROKEE
[Sioux City
JPA I SAC | CALHOUN ]_.. WEBSTER
^\ HARRISON I SHELBY [AJ
POTTAWATTAMIE
MONTGOMERY!
UNION_
O 100-1,000 Fish
• 1,000-10,000 Fish
14
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Groundwater
Water held in underground gravel,
sand, and silt layers (aquifers) is
referred to as groundwater. Surface
water and precipitation trickle
through cracks and pores in the earth
to reach the aquifers. The quality of
groundwater is important because it
is the water source for a large seg-
ment of the State's population. The
contamination of groundwater sup-
plies by nitrates and toxic
substances is receiving increased at-
tention.
Naturally occurring radiation,
selenium, and fluoride released from
underlying rocks have contaminated
groundwater in some areas. Concen-
trations of these contaminants vary
erratically and sometimes reach
levels of concern.
Once groundwater has become
contaminated, purifying it by natural
means is very slow at best. Therefore,
prevention of groundwater pollution
is critical. To this end, the EPA has in-
stituted the Underground Injection
Program to limit the injection of
wastes underground. States may
assume responsibility for this pro-
gram.
Nitrates are known to cause anemic
conditions in infants. Although
nature provides some of the nitrates
in groundwater (through decaying
organic material), the amount of
nitrates can be increased by modern
agricultural practices requiring irriga-
tion and the use of such fertilizers as
ammonia and liquid nitrogen. The ap-
plication of more fertilizer than the
plant roots can use allows the excess
to reach the groundwater, and porous
soils allow nitrates to enter the
groundwater rapidly, before the
plants can take them up. The ground-
water in several areas in the State
has high nitrate levels, but concen-
trations tend to vary widely.
Uncontrolled toxic chemical disposal
sites are another possible source of
groundwater contamination. The Re-
source Conservation and Recovery
Act of 1976 addresses this problem. It
requires such sites to have an im-
permeable barrier to prevent ground-
water contamination from the buried
material.
Sources and Pathways of Nitrogen to the Aquifer
Precipitation
Root Zone
Soil Zone
Aquifer
Consolidated
Material
Water Level
15
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Water Resources
Drinking Water
The average adult consumes from
one and a half to five quarts of water
a day. Most people assume the water
they drink is safe, and it usually is.
Sometimes, however, it can be con-
taminated by bacteria, metals, toxic
chemicals, or other pollutants.
At least 4000 documented cases of
waterborne illnesses occur each year
in the United States; the actual
number is probably much greater, as
many go unreported. In addition, the
health effects of long-term, low-level
exposure to contaminated water are
not well known. Nevertheless, these
also should be of concern to each of
us.
To help fight these health threats,
Congress (in the Safe Drinking Water
Act) directed EPA to establish drink-
ing water standards for all public
water supplies having 15 or more ser-
vice connections or regularly serving
25 or more persons. The pollutants
for which standards have been
established are briefly described
below.
Bacteria — Coliform bacteria from
human and other animal wastes can
be found in improperly treated drink-
ing water. These bacteria may in-
dicate the presence of other harmful
organisms. Waterborne diseases
such as typhoid, cholera, infectious
hepatitis, and dysentery have been
traced to improperly disinfected
drinking water.
Nitrate — Drinking water having
nitrate levels above the national stan-
dard poses an immediate threat to
children under three months of age.
In some infants, excessive levels of
nitrate have been known to react with
the hemoglobin in the blood to pro-
duce an anemic condition commonly
known as "blue baby."
Arsenic — This element occurs
naturally in the environment. It is also
found in insecticides, foods, tobac-
co, shellfish, drinking water, and air.
Consumption of water that con-
tinuously exceeds the national stan-
dard can cause fatigue and loss of
energy. High levels of arsenic intake
can be fatal.
Barium — This element also occurs
naturally in the environment in some
areas, but it is not as widespread as
arsenic. Barium can also enter water
supplies through industrial waste
discharges. Although small doses
are not harmful, consumption of
large quantities is quite dangerous
and can cause high blood pressure,
nerve damage, and even death.
Cadmium — Only minute amounts of
this element are found in natural
waters in the United States; however,
improperly treated waste discharges
from electroplating, photography, in-
secticide, and metallurgy industries
can increase cadmium levels. Al-
though most cadmium enters the
16
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body through cigarette smoking and
food intake, minute quantities have
also been found in water supplies
having galvanized pipes and fixtures.
Chromium — Cigarettes, foods, and
air are the most common sources of
chromium. High levels of chromium
in drinking water may cause skin and
respiratory ailments. Although some
studies suggest that minute amounts
of chromium may be essential to
humans, this theory has not yet been
proven.
Lead — This metal is found in the air,
in food, and in the pigment of some
older paints. The lead in drinking
water comes from plumbing, auto ex-
hausts, and other sources. When
standards are greatly exceeded,
humans may suffer from nervous
system disorders or from brain or
kidney damage.
Mercury — Mercury levels in water
can be raised above normal by in-
dustrial discharges and mercury-
based pesticides. A greater health
risk results from eating fish from
such waters than simply from water-
borne mercury itself, because the ele-
ment becomes concentrated in the
fish tissues. Ingested mercury can
cause liver, intestinal, circulatory,
kidney, and neurological ailments —
even death. Mercury poisoning can
be acute, as a result of large doses,
or chronic, as a result of smaller
doses received over an extended
Selenium — This material occurs
naturally in soil and plants and is
found in meat and other foods.
Although selenium is believed to be
essential in the diet, indications are
that excessive amounts may be toxic.
Studies are under way to determine
the amount required for good nutri-
tion and that which may be harmful.
Silver — The need to set a drinking
water standard for silver arises from
its intentional addition as a disinfect-
ant in some water supplies. Overex-
posure to silver causes discoloration
of the skin and mucous membrane.
When absorbed through the skin or
consumed at high levels, silver can
cause kidney, liver, and spleen
damage.
Pesticides — Each year some of the
millions of pounds of pesticides used
on croplands, forests, lawns, and
gardens in the United States drain off
into surface waters or seep into
underground water supplies. If they
get into drinking water and the water
is not properly treated, many of them
may pose health problems. The
pesticides for which drinking water
standards have been established are
Endrin, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Tox-
aphene, 2,4-D, and 2,4,5-TP Silvex.
Radioactivity — Radiation, which
results from both natural and man-
made processes, is of concern be-
cause it is known to cause cancer
and genetic defects in humans.
Some water supplies within the State
have been found to contain radio-
activity above the concern level.
Radioactivity is discussed further in
the radiation section of this publica-
tion.
Turbidity — Turbidity (cloudiness
resulting from minute suspended par-
ticles) in drinking water interferes
with the aesthetic quality of the
water. Excessive turbidity can also
interfere with disinfection and allow
disease-causing organisms to sur-
vive. National standards have been
set to correct this problem.
17
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Water Resources
Drinking Water (continued)
The figure shows the percentage of
Iowa communities meeting drinking
water standards for each of these
contaminants.
Percentages out of compliance are
based on total number of violations
divided by the number of community
water supplies.
Compliance of Iowa Community Water Supplies
With Chemical Drinking Water Standards
(1289 Supplies)
Silver
Fluoride
All Organics
(including
pesticides)
5 90 95
Percent in Compliance in 1979
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Fluoride is a naturally occurring ele-
ment that is commonly added to
water supplies to help prevent tooth
decay. The recommended concentra-
tion is 1 part per million (ppm).
Because too much fluoride can
cause mottling of teeth, concentra-
tions above 2 ppm are a cause for
concern. The map shows Iowa coun-
ties that have adequate fluoride in
their drinking water.
Population Receiving Adequately Fluoridated Water
(1980)
Percentage of
Population O Natural Source
D 0 • 20% O Adjusted Source Total Population 2,825,000
R Si ' M°/° (SHHCH '" whlch~me'or •"'"»"*' Population With Fluoridated
Hfil"ftSo/° added or some fluor.de art,f,c.al.y Water Supplies 1,772,000 Of 63%
D 61 • oO/o removed to provide recommended rr
D 81 • 100% concentration)
19
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Water Resources
Wetland Areas
Wetlands are lowland areas, such as
marshes or swamps, that are
saturated with moisture all or part of
the year. These lands represent
unique ecosystems of major impor-
tance. Iowa's wetlands provide
unique recreational areas, which sup-
port hunting and fishing, are high in
aesthetic value, and contain
irreplaceable plant and animal life
that make them especially valuable
for educational and scientific
studies.
Some other roles and functions of
wetlands are often not appreciated.
For example, these areas can
recharge groundwater supplies and
help to maintain flow during dry
periods. The dense vegetation, acting
as a filter, traps pollutants and helps
to maintain water quality in nearby
streams and lakes. By storing flood-
waters and excess runoff, the wet-
lands can serve as buffer zones and
reduce erosion by dissipating the
energy of floodwaters. They also can
be a source of harvestable timber and
crops.
The major zone of wetlands in Iowa,
known as the Wisconsin Glaciation
Area, is located in the north-central
part of the State, as shown on the
map on the opposite page. Most of
these wetlands have been destroyed
as a result of artificial drainage for
agricultural purposes. Over 99 per-
cent of the wetlands in Iowa have
been destroyed since the turn of the
century. An estimated 55,000 acres of
wetlands still remained in 1977.
Wetland Acreage Remaining in Iowa
6.0
5.0
4.0
10
0>
o
10
« 3.0
o
2.0
1.0
(138,000)
(55,000)
1900
1955
1977
-------
Zones in Which Remaining Wetlands Are Located
Wetlands
Riverine Wetlands
21
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Air Quality
Air Pollutants and Standards
The objective of the EPA's air pollu-
tion control program is to meet the re-
quirements of the Federal Clean Air
Act by achieving and maintaining Na-
tional Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) by 1983. Toward this goal,
the EPA provides research on health
effects, offers the State both
technical and financial assistance,
and sets standards for specific
sources.
The primary concern is the effect of
air quality on public health. Com-
monly known effects of air pollution
are respiratory aggravation and
cardiovascular stress. Air pollution
also threatens crops, forests, fish,
lake ecosystems, and property
values. These are referred to as
public welfare considerations.
The many sources of air pollution
range from natural sources, such as
dust, to the daily emission of
thousands of tons of pollutants from
industrial smokestacks and
automobile exhausts.
State Implementation Plans
The EPA required that all states have
an approved State Implementation
Plan (SIP) by 1972. The plans were to
detail the state's program for achiev-
ing and maintaining the National Am-
bient Air Quality Standards and the
regulatory mechanisms for accom-
plishing that goal. When monitoring
shows that a particular pollutant ex-
ceeds standards, an inadequacy in
the original SIP is indicated. The area
where this occurs is declared a
nonattainment area.
Revisions to the SIP must be sub-
mitted to EPA for the nonattainment
area and pollutant standard being
violated. The revised SIP must in-
dicate additional controls for ex-
isting and new sources and the sup-
porting regulatory mechanisms. As
part of the control program, all ex-
isting point sources must apply
Reasonably Available Control
Technology. All new point sources
must apply the more stringent
Lowest Achievable Emission Rate
control.
Further, in the interim period before
the SIP revision is approved by EPA,
no new point sources can be built
unless emissions from other sources
are correspondingly reduced. After
the SIP is approved, every new point
source must be evaluated to
demonstrate that its proposed emis-
sions will not cause a violation of the
applicable air quality standard.
Standards have been written for six
criteria pollutants: Total suspended
particulates (TSP), ozone, carbon
monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2),
lead (Pb), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Primary standards are written to pro-
tect public health, whereas secon-
dary standards are written to protect
public welfare.
The State determines compliance
with National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (by monitoring air quality)
Population Exposure Where Ambient Air
Health Standards Are Exceeded in Iowa
Population
Exposed
577,000
194,000
Particulates
163,000
Total State Population
2,824,376
and acts as the primary enforcement
agent. The Des Moines-Polk County
Health Department and the Linn
County Health Department assist the
State in these tasks.
In addition to emissions of the six
criteria pollutants for which ambient
standards have been established, the
EPA also regulates emissions of a
special group of hazardous air
pollutants — asbestos, vinyl
chloride, mercury, benzene,
beryllium, and radioactive particles.
All of these have been shown to
cause cancer in humans. The three
sludge incinerators and one
asbestos processor in Iowa are all in
compliance with the National Emis-
sion Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants.
22
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Number of Days National Total Suspended Particulate Standards
Were Exceeded in Iowa in 1978*
Cedar Rapids
Des Moines
Marshalltown
Mason City
Spencer
1234
I | Health standard exceeded
IH Alert level exceeded
*Note: Because consideration must be given to natural
meteorological events, exceeding Ambient Air
Quality Standards for one day during a single
year does not constitute a violation; the
standard must be exceeded at least two days
in a single year to be considered a violation.
8 9 10
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Air Quality
Air Pollutants and Standards (continued)
Davenport
Nonattainment Areas for
Total Suspended Particulates (TSP)
(1980)
A Part of county violates the secondary (public welfare) standard.
/V Part of county violates primary standard and part violates secondary standard.
Nonattainment Areas for
Ozone
(1980)
H County violates standard.
Total Suspended
Particulates (TSP)
Northern Mason City, central and
southern Cedar Rapids, parts of Des
Moines and West Des Moines, and
central Davenport are primary nonat-
tainment areas for total suspended
particulates. Muscatine, Clinton,
Sioux City, Fort Dodge, Waterloo,
Council Bluffs, Keokuk, Northern
Davenport, outer Des Moines, and
portions of Mason City and Cedar
Rapids are secondary nonattainment
areas.
The term TSP refers to all the solid
material floating in the air, such as
24
dust, soot, and fly ash. Agricultural
activities, construction sites, un-
paved roads, grain handling,
automobile exhaust, and coal com-
bustion are all sources of TSP. All
TSP affects the respiratory system,
but the smallest particles are the
most harmful. In addition, toxic
materials such as pesticides and
lead are sometimes carried by these
suspended particles.
Ozone
Linn County is a nonattainment area
for ozone.
Ozone is a major component of
photochemical smog formed by a
series of chemical reactions that oc-
cur when hydrocarbons and nitrogen
oxides are exposed to sunlight.
Hydrocarbons include the fumes
from any of numerous oil-derived
liquids (for example, gasoline, kero-
sene, diesel fuels, lacquers, and thin-
ners). The most common sources of
airborne hydrocarbons are auto-
mobiles, refineries, fuel transfer
facilities, painting operations, fuel
combustion in stationary sources,
and nature itself. Ozone, which is a
severe irritant to mucous mem-
branes, aggravates respiratory dis-
orders, reduces lung function, and in-
creases susceptibility to bacterial in-
fection.
-------
Sioux City
Sioux City
ibuque
Davanport
Nonattainment Areas for
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
(1980)
Pan of county violates standard.
Nonattainment Areas for
Sulfur Dioxide (SO,)
(1980)
A Part of county violates standard.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Downtown Des Moines is a non-
attainment area for carbon monoxide
(CO).
Carbon monoxide, a toxic byproduct
of incomplete combustion (auto-
mobile exhausts are the major
source), reduces the amount of ox-
ygen available to lung tissues, im-
pairs visual perception, decreases
alertness, and in high concentra-
tions, can be fatal.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Julian Township in Dubuque County
is a nonattainment area for sulfur
dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide results from the
combustion of sulfur-containing coal
and oil, the smelting of metal ores,
the refining of oil, and other in-
dustrial processes. This compound
reacts readily with other atmospheric
pollutants to form a group of
substances called sulfates, which
aggravate heart disease and such
respiratory ailments as bronchitis,
emphysema, and asthma. Sulfur
dioxide also reacts with moisture to
produce acid rain, a problem affect-
ing the delicate ecosystems of lakes
and forests.
25
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Air Quality
Air Pollutants and Standards (continued)
The entire State of Iowa meets the
national standards for the other
criteria pollutants, which are de-
scribed briefly below.
Lead
The metal lead (Pb) reaches the air
primarily through the use of leaded
gasoline. Other sources include lead
and zinc mining and processing
sites, lead recovery plants, battery
manufacturing facilities, and certain
industrial chemical processing fac-
tories. Lead is particularly harmful to
the soft tissues of the body, the
reproductive system, and the nervous
system. It also can cause anemia and
irreversible brain damage.
Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced
by fuel combustion and come from
both stationary and mobile sources.
Coal- and oil-fired furnaces and
automobiles are major sources.
These compounds react with hydro-
carbons in the presence of sunlight
and produce ozone. They also cause
acid rain. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a
form of NOx, can affect lung tissue,
reduce resistance to disease, con-
tribute to bronchitis and pneumonia,
and aggravate chronic lung
disorders.
Emissions
No SIP revisions are required in areas
where monitoring indicates com-
pliance with NAAQS. Existing
sources, however, must meet ap-
plicable State and local regulations,
and new sources may also be subject
to more stringent regulations. Some
new source categories must meet
New Source Performance Standards.
Major new sources must meet Pre-
vention of Significant Deterioration
regulations.
Of the 532 existing major point
sources in Iowa, 525 sources are in
compliance with applicable emission
regulations.
Ranges in color keys
indicate 1000's tons/yr.
Participate Emissions
D «10 010-20 O 21-50
l»50
26
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Sioux City
SO, Emissions
D«10 010-50 D»50
Davenport
Sioux City
Hydrocarbon Emissions
D«10 Q10-20 D 21-50
Davenport
Sioux City
CO Emissions
D <20 a 20-75 D 76-140 • »140
Sioux City
Davenport
N02 Emissions
0*5 D 5-40
Davenport
27
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Solid Waste
Disposal and Recovery
Besides the well-known household
garbage, solid waste includes such
material as waste from agricultural,
industrial, and mining activities;
sludges from water and air pollution
control facilities; demolition
material; and abandoned cars. Na-
tional statistics show that 87 percent
of the solid waste in the United
States is produced by agricultural
and mining activities, 9 percent by in-
dustrial activities, and 4 percent by
residential and commercial ac-
tivities. The amount of solid waste
constantly increases, and its com-
position changes with the Nation's
population growth and technological
advancement.
Increases in solid waste result in the
littering of city streets, country road-
sides, and any available open
spaces. Such littering diminishes our
enjoyment of the environment and
creates an expensive cleanup prob-
lem.
The most fundamental ways to
lessen environmental damage from
solid waste are (1)to generate less
waste or (2) to recover and reuse
valuable resources from those
wastes. Both approaches would not
only reduce degradation, but save
energy and materials as well.
Generation of solid waste by
municipalities is high — about 1300
pounds per person per year; the rate
of resource recovery is low — about 7
percent. The rising cost of land
disposal, however, is likely to make
resource recovery and conservation
increasingly more attractive.
28
Passage of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976
accelerated solid waste management
programs at all levels of government.
Uncontrolled open dumps and open
burning of solid waste will soon be a
thing of the past. Sanitary landfills
are the most common replacement
for open dumps in solid waste
management programs. The design
of these landfills is such that solid
waste can be buried in a manner effi-
cient enough to protect both ground-
water and surface water. The map in-
dicates the approved sanitary land-
fills in Iowa.
Proper operation of the landfills is
essential to adequate control of the
waste placed there. Also, every Iowa
citizen must recognize his or her role
in environmental protection by assur-
ing that any household waste, dead
animals, pesticide containers, and
the like are disposed of properly.
-------
Permitted Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
(1980)
O Regular Sanitary Landfill • Special Waste Site
O Transfer Station O Construction and Demolition Site
O Recycling Facility
29
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Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Waste
The use of large quantities of
chemicals has become a way of life
in our society. The list of more than
4,000,000 recognized chemical com-
pounds grows at the rate of 6,000 per
week.
Many of these chemicals are
beneficial, but some are known to
produce adverse effects in our food,
water, and air; the effects of many
others are still unknown. The EPA
estimates that at least 57 million
metric tons of waste generated in the
United States in 1980 may be
classified as hazardous.
Many once believed that the Midwest
would never have to worry about
health hazards associated with im-
proper handling of chemicals such as
those experienced in the East — for
example, the nationally publicized
Love Canal incident in New York. The
problem is brought closer to home by
the hazardous waste problem involv-
ing Salsbury Laboratories and the La-
Bounty dumpsite in Charles City.
Waste products from the laboratory
and dumpsite have been shown to
contain such contaminants as
arsenic, phenol, orthonitroaniline,
and nitrophenol. The ground and sur-
face water resources potentially in-
volved are used by 300,000 lowans.
The Iowa Department of Environ-
mental Quality and the EPA have
taken several actions to deal with the
problem, including the preparation of
a remedial plan that details how the
laboratory is to perform the
necessary work to correct the situa-
tion.
30
In the 40 years preceding the
passage of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act (RCRA) in
1976, the disposal of hazardous
wastes was largely unregulated. The
act mandated a comprehensive
"cradle to grave" hazardous waste
management program. Such proper
environmental control will cost more,
but eliminate the astronomical costs
of correcting poor disposal practices.
For example, a 1979 EPA study
reported that cleaning up abandoned
and improperly operated hazardous
waste sites could cost as much as
$44 billion, of which only a portion
would likely be paid by the owners of
the sites.
The RCRA plan of attack consists of
two phases. The first provides a
system for following hazardous
waste from its point of origin to its
final disposal. This system includes:
•Identifying hazardous waste.
• Setting standards for producers
and shippers of hazardous
waste.
• Specifying performance, design,
and operating requirements for
facilities that treat, store, or
dispose of hazardous waste.
• Providing a system for issuing
permits to such facilities.
•Furnishing guidelines that
outline conditions under which
state governments can be
authorized to carry out their own
programs for hazardous waste
management.
The second phase of the program en-
tails a comprehensive effort to iden-
tify dangerous abandoned or uncon-
trolled dump sites. If danger to
human health and the environment is
deemed "imminent and substantial,"
the owner can be forced to clean up
the site. Unfortunately, many of the
owners cannot be found or are not
financially able to correct the prob-
lem.
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Hazardous Spills
Most environmental problems do not
require immediate action, but the ac-
cidental release of oil or some haz-
ardous material can constitute an
emergency condition. Such incidents
necessitate immediate action to pro-
tect public health and to minimize
damage to natural resources.
In the event of such emergencies, a
response team must be prepared to
travel to the area, identify the nature
and source of the substance spilled,
and take direct action to contain the
spill. Cleanup of the spilled material
can then begin, and if necessary, ap-
propriate legal action can be taken.
This type of response is complex and
expensive. The workers must wear
protective equipment and take the
necessary precautionary measures
until such time as the nature of the
chemical involved has been deter-
mined. Few safe sites are readily
available for disposal of hazardous
materials, and such materials often
must be transported a great distance
for proper long-term disposal.
The charts show the number of spills
by type of material and environment
affected for the two-year period from
October 1977 to September 1979.
Percent of Total Number of Spills by Type* in Iowa
1% Pesticide
1% PCB
Percent of Total Petroleum Spills
by Environment Affected *
Percent of Total Nonpetroleum Spills
by Environment Affected*
* Based on Spill Investigation Reports by EPA's
Surveillance and Analysis Division (October 1977-
September 1979).
31
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Pesticides
Use and Misuse
The use of insecticides and her-
bicides is common and beneficial on
farms, in the home and garden, and in
commercial and institutional estab-
lishments. Besides the increased
crop production made possible by
the extensive agricultural use of pes-
ticides, another benefit derived from
the use of pesticides is the control of
such pests as flies, roaches, and
other insects.
Because of the manner in which they
provide these benefits, pesticides
must be considered poisons, and as
such, they can be dangerous not only
to the people who apply them, but
also to those who may be acciden-
tally exposed. Harm can result from
inhaling the pesticide or from absorb-
ing it through the skin. Pesticides
can also contaminate food crops and
harm the people who consume them.
Many pesticides kill plants, birds,
animals, and such beneficial insects
as honeybees, along with the in-
tended pests. They can also become
concentrated in fish and wildlife and
pose a threat to those who eat them.
For these reasons, the manufacture,
sale, and use of these compounds
are regulated by the government.
More than 1,400 chemicals are in-
cluded in the approximately 40,000
pesticide products registered with
the EPA. As of 1980, 49 of these
chemicals (involving about 1,700
products) have been restricted to cer-
tain uses, and the use of 44
pesticides has been limited,
suspended, or banned. Persons who
wish to apply restricted-use products
32
must become certified as applicators
and, in some cases, are required to
attend training courses prior to cer-
tification. The Iowa Department of
Agriculture has certified 66,876
private and 4,290 commercial ap-
plicators.
The charts show the uses and types
of pesticides in Iowa, based on a
1974 survey.
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Pesticide Usage in Iowa
(1974)
Uses
0.2% Industry
0.3% Government
Types
0.4% Nematocides
0.6% Fungicides
84% Herbicides
Total 1974 Pesticide Usage = 58,773,000 pounds
33
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Radiation
Environmental Exposure
Radiation results from the breakup of
an atomic nucleus. Two types are
emitted during the breakup: ionizing
radiation (a stream of nuclear
fragments) and nonionizing radiation
(a high-energy burst of X rays). When
radiation passes through living cells,
it disturbs essential chemical mole-
cules. Such disturbance can result in
death of the cell, cancer, or a genetic
defect. Scientists are currently un-
sure whether or not there is a safe
level of radiation — one at which
these effects are not produced.
Some radiation in the environment is
due to natural causes; some results
from human activities. Natural
radioactivity (known as cosmic rays)
continuously bombards Earth from
space, and the planet itself contains
radioactive uranium, thorium, and
potassium. Because this natural
radioactivity is in the air we breathe,
the water we drink, and the foods we
eat, we all have some amount of
radioactivity within us.
Man adds to this radiation exposure
in various ways: by medical and den-
tal X rays, by jet flights, by television
viewing, by mining natural deposits
of radioactive ore, by the production
of fallout through atmospheric tests
of nuclear weapons, by the combus-
tion of coal (which contains several
radioactive elements), and by the
creation of radioactive materials dur-
ing nuclear energy production.
Radiation Exposure From Environmental Sources
Internal to
Human Body
25%
34
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Combined Terrestrial and Cosmic Radiation Exposure by State
D 40-50 Millirems'
Per Year
O 51-60 Millirems
Per Year
D 61-70 Millirems
Per Year
m 71-80 Millirems
Per Year
*Note A millirem is one-thousandth of a rem, which is
a unit of radiation exposure to the human body
For example, a chest Xray equals about 50 milhrems
per hour, a dental Xray about 20 millirems per hour,
and viewing color television about 2 millirems per hour
The lethal dosage is about 500,000 millirems.
I 81-90 Millirems
Per Year
35
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Noise
Effects and Controls
Everyone is exposed to noise of vary-
ing intensities and from many dif-
ferent sources every day. Constant
exposure to loud noise can be harm-
ful.
Noise-induced hearing loss is par-
ticularly recognized in employees of
highly mechanized industries and
other occupations involving ex-
posure to loud noise. Excessive
levels of noise appear to cause
stress, which may in turn increase
susceptibility to disease and infec-
tion, notably heart disease and
ulcers. An estimated 14.7 million
workers are exposed to an 8-hour
average sound level of 75 decibels, at
which there is risk of hearing
damage.
The EPA is in the process of estab-
lishing standards that require the
reduction of noise in new production
of portable air compressors, medium-
and heavy-duty trucks, earth-moving
machinery, buses, truck-mounted
solid waste compactors, motor-
cycles, jackhammers, and lawn-
mowers. As older equipment is
replaced with products conforming
with the standards, a gradual reduc-
tion in environmental noise levels
will occur. Other EPA activity centers
around the development of regula-
tions requiring equipment to be
labeled so that prospective buyers
are aware of the level of noise the
product emits.
Most noise ordinances are not based
on actual measurements; rather, they
consider sound a problem only when
it is a "nuisance." The State of Iowa
has established a maximum objec-
tive noise level for snowmobiles and
requires an "effective" muffler on
other vehicles. A Technical Assis-
tance Center, one of ten in the Na-
tion, has been established at the
University of Iowa to assist State and
local governments in Region VII in
noise-related problems and needs.
Iowa Population Protected
by Enforceable
Noise Ordinances
Total State Population:
2,824,376
36
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Typical Exposure Levels
(in decibels)
Jet Takeoff
(100 m away)
Street
Traffic
90-
75 •
70
50-
30-
10-
U-100
Live Concert
-80
Possibility of noise-induced
hearing damage
(after 8-hour exposure)
-60
-40
-20
Conversation
_ Threshold
of Hearing
Woods
The measure of energy per area
is presented in decibels. An
increase from 20 to 30 or 90 to
100 represents a tenfold increase
in energy.
37
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The EPA Mission
The Environmental Protection Agen-
cy serves as the advocate for a live-
able environment in a number of
ways. First and foremost, it is a
regulatory agency responsible for
setting and enforcing standards. The
EPA is currently engaged in a
massive effort to restore America's
waters, to reduce air pollution, and to
find a comprehensive approach to
other environmental problems asso-
ciated with pesticides use, radiation,
solid and hazardous waste disposal,
mechanically generated noise, and
toxic substances. As a research
body, the EPA monitors and analyzes
the environment and conducts scien-
tific studies. The agency furnishes
technical and scientific information
to the public, provides training to
develop the environmental skills that
the Nation needs, and offers tech-
nical and financial assistance for en-
vironmental protection efforts at all
levels of government.
Iowa Environmental Agencies
The Iowa Department of Environmen-
tal Quality is an independent State
agency responsible for environmen-
tal planning and enforcement. Its
responsibilities cover air quality;
water quality and supply; the dis-
posal of solid, hazardous, and toxic
wastes; and radiation.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture
is an independent State agency re-
sponsible for the registration of pes-
ticides, the certification of ap-
plicators, and an enforcement pro..
gram.
38
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For Further Information
If you would like additional information about specific en-
vironmental programs in which EPA is involved, please con-
tact EPA Region VII, Public Affairs Office, 324 E. 11th St.,
Kansas City, MO 64106, or call (800) 821-3714. This office
maintains a supply of EPA publications that relate to the
various programs mentioned in this document, operates an
informal speaker's bureau, and coordinates distribution of
environmental films (all free of charge to the public). If you
encounter an environmental problem, report it first to your
local and then to your state pollution control agency.
EPA Region VII program numbers:
Action Line (800)821-3714
Air Pollution Programs (816) 374-3791
Hazardous Wastes Program (816) 374-3307
Oil and Chemical Spills
Region VII Emergency Response Center . . .(816)374-3778
National Emergency Response Center . .. .(800)424-8802
Pesticides Program (816) 374-3036
Pesticides Poisoning Emergency (800)424-9300
Radiation Program (816)374-6621
Resource Recovery Program (816) 374-6532
Solid Wastes Program (816)374-6532
Toxic Substances Program (816)374-3036
Wastewater Treatment (816)374-2725
Water Supply (816)374-5429
Wetlands (816)374-2921
In addition to the U.S. EPA, State agencies assist residents
with their environmental questions and problems. In Iowa,
these agencies are:
Department of Environmental Quality (515) 281-8854
Air Quality
Water Quality
Water Supply
Solid Wastes
Chemical Technology
Radiation
Department of Agriculture (515)281-5321
Pesticides
U.S. Environmental Protection AgencvT
Region V, Li'inry .>
23 J Co^th L^r^orn Street
Chicago, i;[inois 60604
39
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