Air Pollution Health Advisory in Effect 'til Midnight Saturday

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air pollution health advisory Saturday for the southern two-thirds of Minnesota, including Fridley. The advisory is in effect until midnight: 

At-risk Populations: Ozone is expected to near or reach a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.  Populations sensitive to ozone include people with preexisting respiratory conditions, the elderly, children, and individuals who participate in outdoor activities requiring extended or heavy exertion.  Members of these groups are encouraged to postpone or reduce vigorous outdoor activity, or schedule outdoor activity in the morning, when ozone levels are lower.  Even individuals who are otherwise healthy may experience health effects when ozone levels increase.

Health Impacts: Elevated levels of ozone have been linked with respiratory health effects.  Exposure to high levels of ozone may exacerbate pre-existing health conditions.  High ozone levels may make it more difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously, cause shortness of breath and breathing discomfort, and result in coughing and a sore or scratchy throat.  If you experience these symptoms, contact your physician.  

Pollution-reduction Tips: Ozone is produced on hot, sunny days by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen.  These pollutants are released from motor vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, paints and solvents, refueling stations, and other activities that require fuel combustion.  

Conserving energy; buying clean, renewable power; and utilizing alternative means of transportation will all reduce your contribution to air pollution.  During air quality alerts, residents are particularly encouraged to postpone or reduce vehicle trips and engine idling, the use of gasoline-powered equipment, working with paints and solvents, and burning wood.  

Current Air Quality Conditions and Forecast: Hot temperatures, sunny skies, and pollutant transport from wildfires in Utah and New Mexico are enhancing ozone levels across the southern two-thirds of Minnesota today. Ozone is expected to reach 97 AQI in Rochester and 93 AQI in the Twin Cities. These levels are near conditions considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Air quality conditions are expected to improve to moderate Sunday as wind speeds increase and should return to good conditions on Monday.