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CBS News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Air quality alert continues in Minnesota, but improvements in sight
An air quality alert remains in effect Tuesday for most of Minnesota, though conditions should improve throughout the day. The alert was prompted by smoke from Canadian wildfires and is set to run through noon on Wednesday. A NEXT Weather Alert is also in effect due to the air quality. WCCO The Arrowhead, eastern Minnesota, the Twin Cities and south central areas of the state are expected to see unhealthy air quality on Tuesday. The air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups in the rest of southern Minnesota, as well as central areas of the state. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, cleaner air will move in from northwest to southeast throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. By Thursday, air quality across the state should fall below concerning levels. Air quality aside, scattered showers are possible in the morning Tuesday and will clear by the afternoon. Highs will top out in the 60s. Sunshine will return on Wednesday as temperatures climb into the upper 70s. Thursday will be even warmer, with a mix of sun and clouds and a slight chance for isolated showers. Things dry out on Friday before more rain arrives over the weekend. How to prevent exposure to hazardous air The smoke from the wildfires is essentially poisoning the air in Minnesota and neighboring North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. A recent health study out of New York's Mount Sinai Hospital found matter from wildfire smoke can have health effects up to three months. "It's this higher concentration that you're breathing kind of overwhelms your body and can lead to health issues that we kind of expect from air pollution," said Peter DeCarlo, environmental health and engineering professor at Johns Hopkins University. Minnesotans may need to prepare for another summer of smoke, like what the state experienced in 2023. Experts say it's possible the state could also have to deal with wildfire smoke from out west The National Weather Service says rain will likely help bring smoke down closer to the ground. Exposure to this air brings symptoms including itchy eyes, sore throats and headaches. People are advised to avoid spending prolonged amounts of time outdoors, and consider wearing a well-fitting N-95 mask. "It can be hazardous to your health, especially people who are especially sensitive to things like that," said National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Dye. "People with asthma, elderly, children." Motorists are also advised to consider reducing trips. If you have to drive, recirculate the air in your vehicle to reduce exposure to harmful particulate matter.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Report reveals most polluted US cities. Here's a full list
The United States is experiencing growing pollution issues because of wildfires, while factory and vehicle emissions decrease. The American Lung Association's 'State of the Air' 2025 report reveals that 156 million Americans in nearly half the nation experience breathing 'unhealthy' air. The ALA assessment investigated pollution data spanning 2021 to 2023, where it examined ground-level ozone, also known as smog, together with year-round particle pollution and short-term spikes of particle pollution. ALSO READ| How will UK dim sunlight to fight global warming? Everything we know about the project Bakersfield-Delano in California leads as the American city with the most severe persistent particle contamination, with Visalia and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran in the same region occupy the second and third spots. Detroit, Michigan, Eugene, Oregon, and Houston, Texas also made the list. 'This year's report shows the dramatic impact that air pollution has on a growing number of people,' Harold Wimmer, the president and CEO of the ALA told Newsweek in a statement. 'Even as more people are breathing unhealthy air, the federal staff, programs and policies that are supposed to be cleaning up pollution are facing rollbacks, restructuring and funding challenges.' Bakersfield-Delano, CA Visalia, CA Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, CA Eugene-Springfield, OR Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Houston-Pasadena, TX Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Fairbanks-College, AK Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN Pittsburgh-Weirton-Steubenville, PA-OH-WV Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Cincinnati-Wilmington, OH-KY-IN Sacramento-Roseville, CA Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, TX Medford-Grants Pass, OR Missoula, MT St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage, MI Phoenix-Mesa, AZ Texarkana, TX-AR El Centro, CA Yakima, WA Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID ASLO READ| Visa Waiver Program: 41 countries get 90-day US entry without visa – Full List 'Air pollution levels are influenced by a number of factors including population, geography, and typical weather. The more people you have in an area, you typically have more emissions, and therefore higher levels of air pollution,' Peter DeCarlo, a professor of environmental health and engineering at the John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering told Newsweek. 'California has all of the ingredients to produce higher levels of air pollution: high population, mountains and the central valley, and sunshine and warmth.'
