Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Pollution Health Alert due to fine particle pollution for southwest and central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Marshall, and Brainerd effective immediately and running through the end of the day Friday March, 6th. An Air Pollution Health Advisory with pollution levels approaching the alert level has been issued for Duluth and Rochester. A temperature inversion with fog, and low winds has elevated fine particle levels across the state. Conditions are expected to remain elevated until a weak cold front moves into the region, producing moderate west-northwesterly winds and dispersing pollutants. Sources of fine particles include all types of combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, and some industrial processes. Citizens can help reduce fine particle levels by minimizing driving and vehicle idling, reducing energy consumption, and avoiding pollution producing activities such as wood burning. As of 10:00 p.m. Thursday, air monitors indicate fine particle concentrations are at a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups in Detroit Lakes and Marshall. Conditions in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Brainerd will likely also become unhealthy for sensitive groups overnight. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, children, and individuals that work or exercise vigorously for extended periods of time. Be prepared to postpone or reduce vigorous activity. Fine particles can be drawn deeply into the lungs, so reduce activities that lead to deep or accelerated breathing (indoors and outdoors). Exposure to elevated fine particle levels can aggravate existing heart and lung diseases such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exposure may cause fatigue, coughing, phlegm, chest pain, palpitations, wheezing and shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms, consult with a medical physician. To learn more about air pollution or check hourly updates of the Air Quality Index (AQI), visit the MPCA's AQI web page: http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us To have air alerts and daily air quality forecasts sent directly to your email or cell phone visit: http://mn.enviroflash.info