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EPA Monitors Air Quality in Cleanup from Iowa Floods

Release Date: 07/02/2008
Contact Information: Dianna Whitaker, 913-551-7598, whitaker.dianna@epa.gov

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., July 2, 2008) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting air sampling for asbestos and air monitoring for particulates as Iowa communities clean up from recent floods.

EPA on-scene coordinators will assess air quality by using fixed monitoring equipment situated at key points throughout the flood-damaged area. The initial locations for sampling and monitoring activities include the cities of Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Keokuk, Montrose, Parkersburg, and Waterloo and Louisa County. The monitoring has begun in each of these locations.

The monitoring equipment will be set up in areas where demolition activity is taking place as part of the cleanup. Monitoring will be conducted during the times that the demolition contractors are performing their work (seven days a week, if necessary) to ensure readings during the dustiest days and times.

As analytical results for asbestos sampling and particulate level monitoring become available, reports will be posted on the EPA Region 7 Web site.

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