The Iowa DNR plans to test 50 locations they consider highly vulnerable to pollution for PFAS contamination. While the levels detected in Des Moines’ drinking water are low, a lot more testing is required before specialists can fully understand how PFAS are affecting Iowa’s water supply.ĭes Moines Water Works has reached out to the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Attorney General and Iowa’s Congressional delegation to ask for help in resolving the issue. The EPA has connected them to cancer, low birth weight, immune system problems and thyroid issues. PFAS chemicals are known to pose threats to human health and the environment. However, even low levels are a concern and have triggered further investigation, according to a Des Moines Water Works announcement. PFAS levels detected in Des Moines drinking water were at 6.5 parts per trillion, which is well below the EPA’s health advisory level of 70 ppt. These chemicals repel water and oil, and they are commonly called “forever chemicals” since they do not break down and stay in the environment for a long time. PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) is part of a large list of compounds called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances), which are commonly found in products like popcorn bags, pizza boxes and clothing. Midwest, and it is likely that the addition of new and adaptable species will compromise existing insect populations.ĭes Moines Water Works recently detected low levels of PFOS, a toxic chemical found in multiple human-made products, in finished drinking water in Des Moines. Insect populations have been declining across the globe, particularly in the U.S.
Additionally, researchers are concerned about how the expansion of new species into northern habitats threatens the biodiversity of the invaded ecosystems. The mosquitoes pose a threat to public health because they are known to carry diseases such as Zika and yellow fever. Unfortunately, warmer conditions are also expected to allow invasive species such as certain tree beetles to move further north, as well as a few mosquito species. Extreme cold events, like what happened recently in Texas, function to push back the advancement of tropical species, but these events are happening even less often than they already do which allows species that have expanded northward to become more tolerant of the cold.
The largest factor for northward expansion of tropical species is whether they will suffer from freezing conditions or not, and as winter’s have warmed the line where those conditions occur has moved northward. Scientists have found that multiple tropical plant and animal species, such as mangrove trees and manatees, are already expanding northward resulting in what is called tropicalization. Social determinants and structural inequities such as systemic racism, segregation, discriminatory policies, socioeconomic status, education, neighborhoods and physical environments, employment, social support structures, and access to healthcare largely drive asthma disparities.Ī recent review has highlighted that warming winters are likely to result in an expanded range for some tropical plants and animals across the United States. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reported that asthma disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, and native populations, who all have higher asthma rates, hospitalizations, and death. pollen season from 11 to 27 days, a trend that will only increase the length and severity of seasonal allergies. From 1995 to 2011, warmer temperatures have increased the U.S. Roughly 7.8% of Americans who are 18 and older have hay fever and 7.7% of adults have asthma. These higher concentrations of pollen exacerbate allergies and asthma. As temperatures warm, flowers and plants bloom earlier which increases the concentration of pollen and carbon dioxide. Asthma and seasonal allergies will become worse as temperatures increase from climate change according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.