1. Air
  2. How's the air?
  3. Air pollutants and sources
  4. Sources of air pollution

Sources of air pollution that most impact health

These emissions contribute the most to adverse health effects in Minnesota.

Fine particles (PM2.5)

Nitrogen oxides (NOX)

Directly emitted from combustion sources

Sixty percent of fine particle pollution in Minnesota comes from residential wood burning such as wood stoves and campfires. Fifteen percent comes from facility emissions. Five percent each is from large equipment and from on-road cars, trucks, and buses.

Facilities emit thirty percent of Nitrogen Oxides in Minnesota. Twenty-five percent is from agriculture and construction equipment and trains. Another twenty-five percent is from gas cars and trucks.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

 

Volatile organic compounds come from many sources - cars and trucks, wood burning, gas station and auto body shop solvents, recreational craft, and lawn equipment. Facilities only emit five percent of VOCs.

Data is from Minnesota’s 2011 emissions inventory. Percentages indicate the approximate amount of total emissions of pollutant of concern emitted by primary source categories in Minnesota; for simplicity, sources contributing less than 5% are not listed. Results are rounded to the nearest 5%. Emissions from wildfires, agricultural and prescribed burning are not included.

Fine particle sources shown here emit PM2.5 directly; a large amount of PM2.5 in Minnesota’s air is formed indirectly in the atmosphere from reaction of gases.