Polk County, IA
ZIP 50021
In ZIP 50021, 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 (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 F
- Oil and gas wellsA
- Parks and nature nearbyB to C
- Air qualityA to C
- Drinking water qualityB to D
- Pesticide useC to F
- Neighborhood health statusA to D
- Past wildfire impactsA
- Past flood impactsC to F
- Noise levelsA to D
- Radiation signalsD to F
Based on 10 census tracts · compiled October 25, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources
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