UPDATE: MPCA expands air pollution health advisory to include Twin Cities

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news release

For release: April 14, 2016
Contact: Daniel Dix, 651-757-2326


UPDATE: MPCA expands air pollution health advisory to include Twin Cities

St. Paul-- The MPCA has expanded the geographic area of an air pollution health alert to include the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The affected area now includes the Twin Cities metro area, Mankato, Hutchinson, St. Cloud, Marshall, Willmar, Detroit Lakes, Brainerd, Bemidji, and Thief River Falls. The advisory is effective Thursday afternoon through 8am Friday morning. 

Air quality monitors indicate a widening plume of smoke stretching from western and northwest Iowa into western and southern Minnesota. The smoke, a result of fires across eastern Kansas and Nebraska, is expected to persist in this area through Friday morning. During this time, fine particle pollution is expected to remain near a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. On Friday morning, winds out of the southeast are expected to bring in cleaner air across the state of Minnesota.

At-risk Populations: Fine particle pollution is expected to approach a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Populations sensitive to fine particles include those with preexisting cardiovascular or respiratory disease, the elderly, children, and individuals who participate in activities requiring extended or heavy exertion, both indoors and outdoors. Members of these groups are encouraged to postpone or reduce vigorous activity and minimize exposure to local sources of air pollution (i.e., heavy duty vehicle traffic, wood fires, and candles). Even individuals who are otherwise healthy may experience health effects when pollution levels increase.

Health Impacts: Exposure to high levels of fine particles has been linked with both respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. Fine particles may exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and may cause some people to experience chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, contact your physician.

Pollution-reduction Tips: Fine particles are produced from combustion activities, which include fossil fuel-based energy generation, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline-powered yard and lawn equipment, and wood burning. Conserving energy, buying clean renewable power, and using alternate means of transportation, such as mass transit, will all reduce your daily contribution to air pollution. During air quality alerts, residents are particularly encouraged to use public transportation, car pool or reduce vehicle trips and engine idling. Postpone the use of gasoline-powered equipment and avoid burning wood.

Visit http://www.pca.state.mn.us for information on current air quality conditions in your area. To receive daily air quality forecasts and air quality alert notifications by email or text message sign up at http://mn.enviroflash.info. You can find additional information on indoor and outdoor air quality in Minnesota at www.beairawaremn.org.  

Broadcast version

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air pollution health advisory for western and southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area, effective Thursday afternoon through 8am Friday morning.

Smoke from fires in Kansas and Nebraska has pushed fine particle pollution into western Iowa and Minnesota. Fine particle pollution is likely to approach a level that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung conditions, the elderly, children, and people who engage in strenuous activity indoors or outdoors.

During air quality alerts, the MPCA encourages people in the affected areas to minimize unnecessary vehicle trips and engine idling, to postpone the use of gasoline-powered equipment, and to avoid burning wood.

On Friday morning, winds from the southeast are expected to bring in cleaner air across the state of Minnesota.

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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.

St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864