Contact: Sam Brungardt, 651-757-2249
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air pollution health alert due to elevated levels of ozone for the Twin Cities metropolitan area effective from 1:00 p.m. through midnight on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
At-risk Populations: Ozone levels are expected to reach a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Populations sensitive to ozone include those with preexisting respiratory conditions, the elderly, children, and individuals who participate in activities requiring extended or heavy outdoor exertion. Members of these groups are encouraged to postpone or reduce vigorous outdoor activity, or schedule outdoor activity in the morning hours when ozone levels are lowest. Even individuals who are otherwise healthy may experience health effects when pollution levels increase.
Health Impacts: Elevated levels of ozone have been linked with respiratory health effects. Exposure to high levels of ozone may trigger pre-existing health conditions and may make it more difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously, cause shortness of breath and breathing discomfort, and result in coughing and sore or scratchy throat. If you experience these symptoms, contact your physician.
Pollution-reduction Tips: Ozone is produced in hot, sunny weather by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen. These pollutants are released from motor vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, paints and solvents, refueling stations, and other activities which require fuel combustion. Conserving energy, buying clean renewable power, and utilizing alternate means of transportation will all reduce your daily contribution to air pollution. During air quality alerts, residents are particularly encouraged to postpone or reduce vehicle trips and engine idling, the use of gasoline-powered equipment, paint, and solvents, and burning wood.
For hourly air quality updates, visit the MPCA AQI Web site at http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/. Sign up at http://mn.enviroflash.info to receive daily air quality forecasts and air pollution health alerts by email or text message.
