Polk County, IA

ZIP 50313

In ZIP 50313, 9 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, 2.8 miles away (3 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Quality Manufacturing Corp - Urbandale (44%), mostly chromium.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 8.0 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 50313

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

Based on 9 census tracts · compiled October 25, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

Loading the full report, with every source…