Polk County, IA

ZIP 50021

In ZIP 50021, 9 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Des Moines Water Works meets every EPA legal limit; 18 contaminants are above health goals, led by lead at 42× California’s Public Health Goal.
• 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 (44%), 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 50021

• Superfund sites nearbyA to D
• Factories and industrial sitesC to D
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyD to F
• Air qualityA to C
• Drinking water qualityD to F
• Pesticide useD to F
• Neighborhood health statusA to D
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsC to F
• Noise levelsA to D
• Radiation signalsD

Based on 10 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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