For southern,

central Minnesota

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for central and southern Minn., effective noon on Tuesday, June 20, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 22.

Ground-level ozone is expected to be high during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday across central and southern Minn.

Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and low humidity will create an environment favorable for two types of pollutants (Volatile Organic Compounds and Nitrogen Oxides) to react in the air to produce ground-level ozone.

These pollutants will be transported by southerly winds from the Chicago area, northeast Iowa, and southeast Minn. Ozone will be highest during the afternoon and early evening hours when sunshine is most abundant, and temperatures are highest. Ozone will be low in the morning, late evening, and overnight.

Ozone levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across central and southern Minn.

The alert area includes the Twin Cities, Brainerd, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Ortonville, Mankato, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Upper Sioux, and Prairie Island. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

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 of all ages who are doing extended or heavy, physical activity like playing sports or working outdoors.

• Some healthy people who are more sensitive to ozone even though they have none of the risk factors. There may be a genetic base for this increased sensitivity.

Unhealthy ozone levels can aggravate lung diseases like asthma, emphysema, and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing deeply, shortness of breath, throat soreness, wheezing, coughing, or unusual fatigue.

Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms is recommended to use inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider.

Take Precautions: Everyone should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy. Limit, change, or postpone physical activity.

If possible, stay away from local sources of air pollution like busy roads and wood fires.

Anyone with asthma, or other breathing conditions like COPD, should have your relief/rescue inhaler with you.

People with asthma should review and follow guidance in their written asthma action plan. Make an appointment to see a health provider for an asthma action plan.

Ozone is produced on hot, sunny days by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen.

Pollution reduction tips include reducing vehicle trips and fill-up the gas tank at dawn or dusk. Encourage use of public transport, or carpool, when possible.

Postpone use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment on air alert days. Use battery or manual equipment instead. Avoid backyard fires.