Twin Cities Under Air Quality Alert As Ozone Levels Rise This Weekend

TWIN CITIES, MN — An air quality alert is in effect for the Twin Cities metro area and much of Minnesota this weekend because of elevated ozone levels, state pollution officials said.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the alert from noon Saturday, June 6, through 11 p.m. Sunday, June 7.

Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across southern, central and western Minnesota, according to the agency.

The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro area, Brainerd, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Ortonville, Mankato, East Grand Forks and Moorhead.

The alert also includes the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake and White Earth.

Ground-level ozone is expected to be high Saturday and Sunday afternoon across much of the state. Mostly sunny skies, warm temperatures and low humidity are expected to create conditions for volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides to react with sunlight and produce ground-level ozone, the MPCA said.

Ozone levels are expected to decrease after sunset Saturday and be lower Sunday morning before increasing again Sunday afternoon.

State officials said people should consider moving outdoor activities outside of the afternoon hours.

People more likely to be affected by unhealthy ozone levels include:

— People with asthma or other breathing conditions, including COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema

— Children and teenagers

— People doing extended or heavy physical activity, including sports or outdoor work

— Some otherwise healthy people who are more sensitive to ozone

Unhealthy ozone levels can aggravate asthma, emphysema and COPD. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing deeply, shortness of breath, throat soreness, wheezing, coughing or unusual fatigue, according to the MPCA.

People experiencing symptoms should use inhalers as directed and contact their health care provider, state officials said.

The MPCA said people should take it easy, listen to their bodies, limit or postpone physical activity and stay away from local pollution sources such as busy roads and wood fires when possible.

People with asthma or other breathing conditions should keep their relief or rescue inhaler with them and follow their asthma action plan, officials said.

The agency also asked Minnesotans to reduce pollution by limiting vehicle trips, using public transportation or carpooling when possible, postponing the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, filling gas tanks at dawn or dusk, and avoiding backyard fires.