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Air quality in Minnesota has improved over time—enough to meet federal standards—but there is still a long way to go. Because air pollution can be solid, liquid, or gas and is made up of a mixture of chemicals and substances, MPCA uses a variety of methods to analyze it. Our current understanding of Minnesota's air quality is the result of decades of progress in monitoring, modeling, testing, and regulation.  

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is required to provide the Minnesota Legislature with a biennial status report on emissions of toxic air pollutants and mercury in Minnesota and MPCA’s strategies to reduce them. This report is titled The Air We Breathe.

The 2025 edition of The Air We Breathe is one of the most substantive yet, highlighting the progress and challenges of the past two years, while also giving a more in-depth look at how the agency protects and improves our air quality. A few takeaways from this year’s report:

  • Minnesota meets federal air pollution standards, but these standards continue to be made more stringent and require additional state actions to reduce air pollution and protect human health.
  • Burning is at the root of most pollution in Minnesota. Top sources include driving, burning wood for heat and recreation, burning fossil fuels for heat and power, and using gas-powered lawn, snow, and recreational equipment. Efforts to reduce pollution from these sources will have immediate positive impacts on our individual and collective health.
  • Historically, ozone and fine particles reached unhealthy levels for a few days each year, but wildfire smoke has become an increasingly common occurrence in Minnesota over the past 10 years. This overall trend is expected to continue in the future due to climate change.

The effects of air pollution fall unevenly on Minnesotans

The most important change in our air quality work today is understanding where pollution is most concentrated and who is most impacted by it. This means prioritizing environmental justice communities, where people are disproportionately burdened by emissions that affect their daily lives.

Research indicates the highest estimated rates of death and disease related to air pollution were in communities with higher percentages of:

  • low-income residents
  • uninsured residents
  • residents of color
  • residents living with a disability

Structural inequities contribute to these communities having higher existing rates of heart and lung conditions. Systemic racism, housing insecurity, discrimination in health care, and other social and economic factors make communities more susceptible to the effects of poor air quality.

Percentage of Minnesota communities who live with air pollution over risk guidelines are: Low-income people, 53%. Indigenous communities and people of color: 78%. Statewide average: 36%.
People in low-income communities, people of color, and Indigenous people are more likely to live with air pollution in excess of risk guidelines.

Air pollution comes from many sources

Fine particles and ground-level ozone are the two types of air pollutants most likely to affect people's health and make existing heart and lung conditions worse. Fine particles enter the air when we burn gasoline, diesel, or wood. They can also form when gaseous pollutants react in the air. Ground-level ozone forms through chemical reactions of molecules already in the air, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

The largest sources of air pollution risk in Minnesota statewide are transportation at 42%, permitted facilities at 36%, and burning wood for heat or recreation at 16%. In the metro, transportation is 48%, permitted facilities 36%, and burning wood 14%. In Greater Minnesota, the largest source is permitted facilities at 45%, with transportation 21% and burning wood 23%.
Transportation and permitted facilities create the largest share of air pollution risk across the state, though residents of Greater Minnesota are more likely to see air pollution risk from burning wood or agricultural sources than those in the metro area.

Life and Breath report

Scientists from the MPCA and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) previously collaborated on research regarding air quality and health outcomes in the Twin Cities metro area as well as Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud. The research is available in a two-part report titled Life and Breath (2022).  

This report found that air pollution played a role in 10% of all deaths in the metro area and in nearly 500 hospitalizations and emergency room visits for heart and lung problems.  

Meanwhile, in Greater Minnesota, air pollution played a role in:

  • 8% of all deaths in Duluth and about 13 hospitalizations and emergency room visits
  • 10% of all deaths in Rochester and about 20 hospitalizations and emergency room visits
  • 8% of all deaths in St. Cloud and about 15 hospitalizations and emergency room visits

How can we all do better?

Every Minnesotan can do something to help improve our air quality. Here are some actions you can take:

  • Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle you can afford.
  • Take public transportation, walk, or bike whenever possible.
  • Limit wood-burning activities like backyard bonfires.
  • Use electric lawnmowers and weed trimmers rather than gas-based options.