The Minnesota Pollutioin Control Agency (MPCA) issued a statewide air alert Thursday, May 19 due to heavy, ground-level smoke from Northern Alberta and Saskachewan wildfires. The view to the east from Minnesota Street and 3rd St. N. towards the Minnesota River Valley appears to be clouded with smoke Thursday. The MPCA predicted the smoke would clear by Friday morning.
Staff photo by Fritz Busch
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued a statewide air alert Thursday, May 19 due to heavy, ground-level smoke from Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan wildfires. The view to the east from Minnesota Street and 3rd St. N. towards the Minnesota River Valley appears to be clouded with smoke Thursday. The MPCA said the smoke should clear rapidly by Friday morning.
NEW ULM — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued a statewide air quality alert Thursday that continues until 6 a.m., Friday, May 19.
Fine particle pollution levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, considered unhealthy for everyone, across all but far eastern Minnesota, according to an MPCA news release. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange AQI category for far eastern Minnesota.
Health affects of red air quality include irritated eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.
Sensitive or more exposed individuals may experience more serious health effects, including worsening of existing heart or lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart attack or stroke.
People are encouraged to reduce outdoor physical activity, take more breaks, and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure. Sensitive and more exposed individuals should avoid prolonged or vigorous activity and consider shortening, rescheduling, or moving outdoor events inside.
Smoke particles are small enough that they can be breathed deeply into lungs and enter the bloodstream. This can lead to illnesses such as bronchitis or aggravate existing chronic heart and lung diseases, triggering heart palpitations, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes.
Sensitive groups include people with asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, pregnant people, children and older adults.
People with increased exposure are those that do longer or more vigorous physical activity outdoors, work outdoors, doing especially heavy, manual labor, exercising or playing sports outdoors, those without air conditioning or permanent shelter.
Anyone experiencing health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider. Those with severe symptoms, chest pain, breathing trouble or fear they may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke should call 911 immediately.
For more information, visit www.pca.state.mn.us
(Fritz Busch can be emailed at [email protected]).
