Air Quality Alert for Monday, May 12th

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for western and central Minnesota, including St. Cloud. The alert will be in effect from noon on Monday, May 12, through 9:00 p.m.

High levels of ground-level ozone are expected during the afternoon and early evening hours. Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and low humidity will create ideal conditions for ozone formation. Ozone levels will be highest during the afternoon when sunshine is strongest and temperatures peak. Levels will drop during the morning, late evening, and overnight. A second air quality alert may be issued on Tuesday if the sunny, hot weather continues.

The air quality today will be in the orange, or unhealthy for sensitive groups, category. This includes those with asthma or other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Children and teenagers are also more likely to be affected, as well as people of any age engaging in prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity like sports or physical labor. Additionally, some otherwise healthy people may be genetically more sensitive to ozone exposure.

Unhealthy levels of ozone can aggravate lung diseases and lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, difficulty taking deep breaths, or unusual fatigue.

Consider reducing or postponing outdoor activity, especially during peak ozone hours in the afternoon and early evening. Try to stay away from local sources of pollution, such as busy roads or wood fires. Those with asthma or other breathing conditions should make sure they have their rescue inhalers with them and follow their written asthma action plans.