Russell Raczkowski
Bancroft
Friday, December 5, 2003
The MPCA has issued an Air Pollution advisory for the Twin Cities, Rochester, and St. Cloud for the rest of today through Monday. A combination of low-level temperature inversion and changing wind patterns are predicted to trap high levels of fine air particulates during that time.
Pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5) or soot, some of which has local sources and some of which is blowing into Minnesota from states to the south. A large mass of fine particle pollution is covering the central U.S., blowing into Minnesota as long as our winds are from the south.
Air Quality Index (AQI): The 2 p.m. AQI reading in the Twin Cities was 97 with a Saturday forecast of 99 which is at the threshold of the category that is "unhealthy for sensitive groups." The regional air quality for Rochester (83) and St Cloud (79) are in the moderate range but climbing.
Health precautions: "Sensitive groups" include those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), adults over 50, and healthy adults and children engaged in heavy exercise. These individuals should postpone or reduce heavy or prolonged exertion (play shorter games, rotate players more frequently, walk instead of run).
Although some of today's air pollution is blowing in from other states, it is important for us to reduce additional contributions to the problem.
* Reduce vehicle exhaust, which contains fine particles, by driving less today.
* Postpone work with small engines.
* Postpone campfires or other fires that produce soot or fine particles.
To check hourly updates of the AQI, go to: http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/hourly/ REMINDERS:
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