[Mpls] Air quality alert

[mclemore at bitstream.net]

Friday, February 27, 2004

The MPCA has issued an Air Quality Alert for late today and the rest 
of the weekend.  Air monitors in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester 
and St. Cloud indicate a rising concentration of fine particles or 
soot in the air.

Air Quality Index (AQI):  the AQI has been hovering around 90 for the 
past day or two, but is forecast to rise above 100 by Saturday, and 
not drop until late Sunday. An AQI of 100 or above indicates air 
quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, which include 
athletes, children, older adults and those with heart and respiratory
conditions.  People with heart conditions are especially vulnerable 
to fine particle pollution.

Health precautions:  "Sensitive" groups include those with heart or 
lung disease (including asthma), adults over 50, and healthy adults 
and children engaged in vigorous exercise where they breathe deeply.  
These individuals should postpone or reduce heavy exertion (play 
shorter games, walk instead of run, rotate players more frequently, 
etc.)

What you can do:  
*	reduce driving where possible and don't idle your engine in parking 
lots and drive-throughs
this weekend; vehicle exhaust contains fine particles
*	postpone activities with small gasoline or diesel engines
*	postpone fires in your fireplace, which add soot particles to the 
air

To learn more or check hourly updates of the AQI, visit:  
http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/hourly

For additiional information on reducing air pollution, visit Clean 
Air Minnesota
at: http://www.mn-ei.org/air/resources.html#FactSheets


Liz McLemore
Bancroft