Avoid burning leaves . Leaf smoke is a major health threat for many Iowans. The dense smoke is made of fine soot particles, carbon monoxide and toxins that causes asthma attacks in Iowa. Composting or mulching turns potential air pollution into Mother Nature's goodness for your lawn, garden or flowers. Solid waste disposal is another alternative.
Ozone is the main ingredient in photochemical smog.
Regions of east-central and southeastern Iowa from Cedar Rapids to Clinton, Quad Cites and Van Buren County had unhealthy levels of ozone over several days in 1999. Ozone is found in cities and also moves over rural areas away from these urban areas as well, affecting farmsteads and small towns. Paint on a cooler day or late in the day. Try using non-photochemical reactive VOCs as marked on the paint can. Better yet, use water-based paints, stains and sealant.