ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has again extended an air quality alert for central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area.
The alert took effect Monday at 10 a.m., and was supposed to end at noon Tuesday. It was later extended to 6 p.m. Wednesday, and now, that alert has been extended until midnight Thursday for the central part of the state.
An alert in place for areas outside the Twin Cities metro will still expire at 6 p.m. on Jan. 11.
Officials say the dip in air quality is because "light winds combining with moisture from melting snow will trap fine particulate pollution near the surface," according to a news release from the MPCA.
The air is expected to improve when winds blow in clearer air from the west.
The alert has reached "orange" in Twin Cities and some surrounding communities. Officials say the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups: people with asthma; people who have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes; pregnant people; children and older adults; and those with increased exposure.
MPCA listed the people with increased exposure:
- Those of all ages who do longer or more vigorous physical activity outdoors
- Those who work outdoors, especially workers who do heavy manual labor
- Those who exercise or play sports outdoors, including children
- Those in housing which doesn't keep unhealthy air out, or who do not have permanent shelter.
Officials say people experiencing health-related effects from the air should contact their health care provider.
"Those with severe symptoms, chest pain, trouble breathing, or who fear they may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke should call 911 immediately," according to the release.