Thorne comments on Iowa’s increased coal usage amid surging electricity demand

Iowa is home to a small, aging coal fleet made up of just nine utility-scale generating plants. The dated facilities are significant sources of nitrogen and sulfur oxide gases, toxic heavy metals—like mercury and carcinogenic arsenic and cadmium—and fine particulate matter that exacerbates asthma and underlying lung and heart disease, said Peter Thorne, a UI professor of occupational and environmental health. “They really reflect a turn-of-the-19th-century technology,” he said. Published September 14, 2026

Plugged In to Public Health: How do we know the air is safe?

What does it actually mean when regulators say a proposed power plant is expected to meet air-quality standards? In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren talks with Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, professor in the University of Iowa College of Public Health’s Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, about the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the broader public health questions surrounding energy production and air pollution. Published September 11, 2026

IPRC celebrates 35 years of injury and violence prevention

The University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (UI IPRC) was established in 1991 with CDC funding to address the disproportionately high burden of injury in rural communities. Since then, the UI IPRC has brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community partners to advance injury and violence prevention through research, education, and public health action.  Published August 26, 2026

University of Iowa earns certification as a recovery friendly workplace

Building on more than a decade of research and outreach from the College of Public Health's Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, the University of Iowa has earned certification as a Recovery Friendly Workplace, reflecting its commitment to supporting employees affected by substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and recovery. Published August 17, 2026

Thorne says Alliant’s proposed Linn County power plant needs stronger pollution controls

Peter Thorne, a University of Iowa professor of occupational and environmental health, said Alliant’s application shows the plant would emit nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. He said those emissions could be especially harmful to the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, and children. Published July 29, 2026

Thorne talks health impacts of wildfire smoke and ozone pollution

In a recent interview on IPR's 'River to River,' Peter Thorne discussed the health impacts of wildfire smoke and ozone pollution as well as potential health and air quality impacts of a proposed gas plant in Linn County. Published July 23, 2026

Plugged In to Public Health: Understanding Youth Concussions and Recovery

In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Dr. Emily Carlson, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Iowa, to discuss youth concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and the growing field of concussion policy research.  Published July 20, 2026

Protect yourself from tick-borne diseases

Angela Horvath, a UI doctoral student in occupational and environmental health, discusses ways farmers can protect themselves from ticks. Published July 10, 2026

CERT Fellowship accepting applications

The Environmental Health Sciences Research Center is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2026 Community Engagement and Research Translation (CERT) Fellowship. Awards of $5,000 available to facilitate community engaged and translational research related to environmental health. Application due August 14th, the grant period will be October 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027.  Published June 29, 2026

Community raises more concerns at Linn County meeting on Morgan Valley power plant 

UI professor Peter Thorne, a former chair of the EPA Science Advisory Board, spoke at a recent meeting about the health impacts associated with the criteria pollutants a gas turbine plant would emit — primarily nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter. Published June 26, 2026