(KNSI) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert effective Tuesday, June 8, from 12 p.m. through 9 p.m. The affected area includes St. Cloud.
According to a press release from the MPCA, “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 and volatile organic compounds that can quickly form ozone. Ozone concentrations will peak in the late afternoon. Air quality will improve Tuesday evening.”
People whose health is affected by unhealthy air quality: 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 doing extended or heavy physical activity like playing sports or working outdoors. Some healthy people are more sensitive to ozone even though they have none of the risk factors. There may be a genetic base for this increased sensitivity.
The MPCA says everyone, regardless of lung health levels, should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy.
They say to 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, they say to make sure you have your relief/rescue inhaler with you.
To learn more about air quality and how it affects your health, click here.
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