State: Breathe deep at your own risk today in Twin Cities

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued yet another alert for the Twin Cities and Rochester for Monday and Tuesday.

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: March 8, 2010 - 1:02 PM

The rash of air-pollution alerts continues in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the air pollution health alert issued for the Twin Cities and Rochester for Monday through Tuesday, the agency said.

An air pollution healthy advisory -- one level less serious than an alert -- has been issued for the same areas for Wednesday. An advisory has also been issued for the southern two-thirds of the state including: Duluth, Detroit Lakes, Brainerd and Marshall areas for Monday through Wednesday.

The MPCA said that as winds become more easterly on Tuesday, additional pollutants will enter the region, which is expected to lead to unhealthy conditions for sensitive group conditions in the Twin Cities and Rochester, and high-moderate conditions across much of Minnesota.

Most sensitive to air pollution are those with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, young children, the elderly and individuals who participate in activities that require heavy exertion.

Since late November, there have been nearly 20 air-alert days for the Twin Cities.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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