Air quality alert for Twin Cities and St. Cloud until 9 p.m.

Here’s another byproduct of our hot, sunny air mass across Minnesota.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert from the Twin Cities through St. Cloud until 9 p.m. The alert zone basically brackets an area around I-94 running from the Twin Cities through St. Cloud.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for east-central Minnesota, effective Tuesday, June 8, from 12 p.m. through 9 p.m. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro area and St. Cloud.

Air quality is expected to worsen today and Air Quality Index values are expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. Sunny skies, hot temperatures, and light winds will produce an environment favorable for emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can quickly form ozone. Ozone concentrations will be the lowest in the morning hours Tuesday, will gradually rise midday, and peak in the late afternoon. Air quality will improve Tuesday evening.

The MPCA monitors air quality at several sites around Minnesota. Air quality readings are mostly in the good to moderate range across Minnesota as of this post.

Here’s more information from the MPCA on air quality alerts and who is affected by higher pollutant levels.

There are people who are more likely to be affected when ozone pollution reaches an unhealthy level.

• People who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

• Children and teenagers.

• People of all ages who are doing extended or heavy, physical activity like playing sports or working outdoors.

• Some healthy people who are more sensitive to ozone even though they have none of the risk factors. There may be a genetic base for this increased sensitivity.

Health effects

Unhealthy ozone levels can aggravate lung diseases like asthma, emphysema, and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing deeply, shortness of breath, throat soreness, wheezing, coughing, or unusual fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider.

Take precautions

• Everyone should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy.

• Take it easy and listen to your body.

• Limit, change, or postpone your physical activity.

• If possible, stay away from local sources of air pollution like busy roads and wood fires.

• If you have asthma, or other breathing conditions like COPD, make sure you have your relief/rescue inhaler with you.

• People with asthma should review and follow guidance in their written asthma action plan. Make an appointment to see your health provider if you don’t have an asthma action plan.

Pollution reduction tips

Ozone is produced on hot, sunny days by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen.

• Reduce vehicle trips and fill-up the gas tank at dawn or dusk..

• Use public transport or carpool when possible.

• Postpone use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment on air alert days. Use battery or manual equipment instead.

• Avoid backyard fires.