Polk County, IA

ZIP 50009

In ZIP 50009, 8 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Altoona Water Supply has 1 contaminant at or over an EPA legal limit; 12 contaminants are above health goals, led by lithium at 19× the USGS health-based screening level.
• Nearest Superfund site: Des Moines TCE, 7.4 miles away (2 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Quality Manufacturing Corp - Urbandale (62%), mostly chromium.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 7.3 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 174,059 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 50009

• Superfund sites nearbyA to D
• Factories and industrial sitesF
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyC
• Air qualityB to C
• Drinking water qualityC to D
• Pesticide useD to F
• Neighborhood health statusA to D
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsC to D
• Noise levelsA to D
• Radiation signalsF

Based on 8 census tracts · compiled October 25, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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