MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A report by a state toxicologist says dust from waste material used to cover Muscatine County’s gravel roads could be hurting the health of children and adults who are exposed.
The report was written by Iowa Public Health Department toxicologist Stuart Schmitz for resident who oppose the county’s use of slag. Slag is a byproduct from steel manufacturing, and the report says it contains metals at levels that are harmful to infants and toddlers but also for kids up to 18 years old.

The report also says the slag dust is dangerous for adults who are exposed to levels nearly twice what’s considered safe. The report says, however, that adults would have to work “an entire workday, most days of the year,” to be harmed.

County Supervisor Nathan Mather said at Monday’s board meeting that “this is the first time anybody in an official capacity has told us there’s a concern.”