Air-pollution alert in Twin Cities, advisory for central Minn.

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: February 4, 2010 - 9:31 PM

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The air in southern Minnesota is temporarily less than ideal for breathing, state officials said Thursday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued an air-pollution health alert for an area including Marshall, the Twin Cities and Rochester for the latter part of Thursday and into Friday.

It also issued a less-serious air-pollution health advisory covering the same period for central Minnesota, including Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth and St. Cloud.

An alert means the Air Quality Index has or is expected to top 101, the level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. An advisory applies to readings exceeding 90.

Air-pollution monitors in the Upper Midwest indicate fine-particle levels are elevated. Light southerly winds, high pressure and increased moisture are encouraging fine-particle concentrations. Index levels in the Twin Cities and Rochester are forecast to peak at about 120. By late Friday, as winds shift and become more moderate, levels will fall. By Sunday, index levels should be in the good range.

PAUL WALSH