What this alert means
Strong winds can carry tiny particles called PM10 – a type of air pollution – over long distances. PM10 includes soil, road dust, and other crustal material. Because these particles are so small, they can get into our lungs and cause health problems. This threatens the health of Minnesotans, especially vulnerable groups like babies, children, teens, pregnant people, people with certain health conditions like asthma, outdoor workers, and outdoor exercisers.
The air quality index (AQI) is color-coded. Air quality alerts are issued when the AQI is forecast to reach an unhealthy level, which includes forecasts in the orange, red, purple, and maroon categories. For a full description of each air quality category, visit airnow.gov.
Orange air quality: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
Sights and smells: The sky may appear hazy or dirty. You may not be able to see long distances. Visibility may become impaired enough to create dangerous driving conditions. You may notice dust on surfaces. Your skin may feel gritty.
Health effects: This air is unhealthy for sensitive groups and pollution may aggravate heart and lung disease as well as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and fatigue.
What to do: People in sensitive groups are encouraged to reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, or do less intense activities to reduce their exposure. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plan and keep their rescue inhaler nearby.
Who is most at risk
Poor air quality impacts health. Coarse particle pollution from wind-blown dust can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, and cause coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue. Course particles are small enough that they can be breathed into the lungs. This can lead to illnesses such as bronchitis or aggravate existing chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Certain groups experience health effects from unhealthy air quality sooner than others, either because they are more sensitive to fine particle pollution or because they are exposed to larger amounts of it.
Sensitive groups include:
- People who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- People who have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
- Pregnant people.
- Children and older adults.
People with increased exposure include:
- People of all ages who do longer or more vigorous physical activity outdoors.
- People who work outdoors, especially workers who do heavy manual labor.
- People who exercise or play sports outdoors, including children.
- People who don’t have air conditioning and need to keep windows open to stay cool.
- People in housing not tight enough to keep unhealthy air out, or who do not have permanent shelter.
Anyone experiencing health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider. Those with severe symptoms, chest pain, trouble breathing, or who fear they may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke should call 911 immediately.
Take precautions
Close your windows and set your ventilation system to recirculate the air to avoid breathing unfiltered pollutants. Consider using a mask or other face covering if planning to be outdoors during the alert. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Slow down when you drive on unpaved roads.
Stay informed
