Landfill Fire Update: Air Quality Tests Reveal Normal Chemical Levels in Smoke; City Officials Still Urge Caution

The Iowa City Landfill is still burning, and the city of Iowa City has released more information about the landfill fire that started Saturday and , including testing done on the quality of the air.

Click on the PDF to the Right for Frequently Asked Questions about the Landfill Fire

According to a city release, air quality measurements taken in Iowa City, North Liberty and Coralville by local officials from the Johnson County Health Department working in concert with personnel from the State Hygienic Lab have revealed normal levels of chemicals in the air expected from smoke of this type.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has advised that these agencies continue to monitor the quality of the air as the fire continues to burn, as the fire looks like it will continue burning for several days.

Just because the fire does not contain unusual chemical levels, however, does not make exposure to it harmless, especially for young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory illnesses. The Johnson County Health Departmnet has issued the following guidelines for people who find the cloud of smoke heading their way:

Persons in the path of the smoke plume should avoid exposure to the smoke as much as possible. Persons who have respiratory, heart or other conditions which may be aggravated by smoke, pregnant women, and the young and elderly should shelter in places with outside sources of air shut off. Most home air conditioning units recirculate air from the interior and should be sufficient. Businesses and other structures which draw in outside air should close outside air sources if the smoke plume is present. Avoid outdoor activities such as exercising if the smoke plume is present. Nursing homes, day cares and other businesses which care for the elderly, very young and persons with respiratory diseases should take special care to monitor the health of clients and to minimize exposure to the smoke plume.

After jumping a contaignment line yesterday, the fire is now contained within 7.5 acres of the unused portion of the landfill's newest cell, according to the city press release. The reason the fire is lasting so long and has produced so much smoke is that it has spread to the layer of shredded rubber tires that acts as a drainage system for the landfill's contaiment layer.

City officials expect the fire to burn for several more days this week despite continued efforts to contain it, and shifting winds should send the plume of smoke over different parts of the Iowa City area.

For those of you who can't open the PDF, here is the Frequently Asked Questions in text form.


When did the fire start?

Smoke from the fire was first reported at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 27th.

Has the cause of the fire been determined?

The exact cause has not been determined, although it appears the fire originated at the location where dumping was occurring the date the fire started. There is no suspicion of arson at this time.

How long will the fire burn?

Very little can be done to proactively extinguish the fire. The City's strategy is to contain and control the fire until it self-extinguishes. This process is expected to take several days.

How large is the fire?

The fire is currently consuming approximately 7.5 acres.

What is producing the black smoke?

The fire is primarily confined to the unused portion of the City's newest landfill cell. The exposed landfill liner system that contains a layer of shredded tires is actively burning and producing the black smoke.

What is in the smoke? Is the smoke harmful?

Tires contain oil similar to heating oil and produce much of the same emissions as car exhaust or camp fires. The biggest health concern comes from irritating chemicals and particles which can aggravate pre- existing asthma or other respiratory problems.

The smoke also contains a number of other chemicals, some of which are classified as carcinogenic (cancer-causing).    Research from very large tire fires has found that exposure to these chemicals, however, is not significantly greater than daily background levels.

What should I do if the smoke is coming in my direction?

For most people, the smoke is primarily an irritant and not a health concern. However, if you have a pre-existing lung or heart condition, are pregnant or have young children at home or are elderly, a precaution would be to shelter in place. To shelter in place, simply stay indoors with windows and doors
shut until there is a change in the wind and the smoke plume clears. Air conditioning may be used if it does not draw air from outside.

Are there long-term health concerns with the smoke?

All smoke contains particulate matter and chemicals which can be harmful to health when exposure is concentrated and prolonged. Our recommendation is for residents to minimize exposure to any smoke. Studies from previous large tire fires in the United States have found no long-term adverse health outcomes, such as cancer, related to tire fire smoke.

Should I be concerned about eating food from my garden or other local sources?

There is some contamination of vegetation which is in close proximity to a tire fire. The amount of contamination quickly goes down as you get further from the fire. The amounts of particles deposited a kilometer (.625 miles) or more away from large tire fires do not represent a significant exposure for people consuming the crops.

Is the air quality being tested?

Local officials have been working with personnel from the State Hygienic Lab to monitor air quality. Samples taken Sunday evening in three locations throughout Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty showed normal levels of chemicals expected in smoke. One sample had levels of two chemicals which were higher than the other two samples, but were still under standards for long-term occupational exposure. The City and the Johnson County Health Department, under the advisement of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will continue to monitor air patterns and test the air as needed.

What is the best way to receive updates on the status of the fire?

City officials will utilize traditional media outlets to update the public on status changes. All press releases will also be posted on the City's website, www.icgov.org.