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The AQI was developed to provide a simple, uniform way to report daily air quality conditions.
An index of biological integrity (IBI) is a particularly powerful tool that provides an accurate measure of the condition of the biological communities and are a direct determinant of the attainment of aquatic life uses.
The MPCA is committed to engaging broadly with the public and ensuring that residents affected by its decisions have a voice in its processes.
Air pollution levels in Minnesota have steadily decreased over the past few decades and currently meet federal standards. But even levels that meet or are below these standards can affect people’s…
Minnesota’s air currently meets all federal air quality standards. However, even levels of air pollution below the standards can affect people’s health, including levels currently found in parts of Minnesota.
The MPCA is planning new rules governing air quality. The main purpose is to adopt new rules to implement and govern regulation of facilities that emit air toxics.
The MPCA enforces federal and state requirements for air quality permitting.
The MPCA strives to ensure all people in Minnesota have clean air, regardless of where they live or work.
To ensure that every person in Minnesota has healthy air to breathe, the MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates air pollutants, primarily in three categories: criteria pollutants, air toxics, and greenhouse gases.
An air emission permit is a legal document that describes how a facility must operate to meet state and federal air regulations, and to minimize the impact of air emissions on people and the…
The kind of permit a facility needs depends on how much air pollution the facility could emit based on its equipment or processes.
Any facility that emits air pollutants above certain levels is required to have an air quality permit.
When people think of sources of air pollution, they typically think about buildings with big smokestacks like power plants and factories. Only about a quarter of the air pollution in Minnesota comes…
Businesses face challenges from climate change's impacts, but they can also take steps to reduce their contributions to climate change.
Understanding small-scale differences in air pollution is important for minimizing exposure to harmful air pollutants, particularly for vulnerable communities.
A 2008 law requires the MPCA to analyze and consider “cumulative levels and effects of past and current pollution” for air permits in a specific part of south Minneapolis.
The MPCA has a mobile air monitoring program that allows the agency to respond faster to community air quality concerns across the state. The mobile air monitor collects data in areas where permanent…
Completed rulemaking for changes to reporting requirements for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
The MPCA's air monitors continually measure pollutants. With this data, the agency can track pollution trends over time and show if outdoor air meets air quality standards and health benchmarks.
The Air We Breathe report looks at public health and air quality data to gauge how air pollution is affecting our health in Minnesota.