March 14th the Linn County Regional Planning Commission hosted an Air Quality Forum to discuss local and national air quality issues. Linn County is currently approaching maximum levels allowed by National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) which has regulatory and economic impacts. National Ambient Air Quality Standards were established by the Clean Air Act, which was last amended in 1990. The Clean Air Act required EPA to set these standards to mitigate the harmful effects pollutants can cause to public health and to the environment. The Clean Air Division of the Linn County Public Health Department is authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to enforce mandates made by the Clean Air Act. For more information about the air quality issues facing Linn County click on the presentations below: