Minnesota's Air Quality In The Spotlight This Week

For a lot of Minnesotans, we’ve been waiting for this weather for some time now. Sunshine, warmer temps and the ability to get outside and get nature's Vitamin D supply is long overdue.

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And this is a big week for us as well. Saturday is the opening of fishing season in Minnesota and Sunday is Mother's Day.

Photo Credit: Dave Thomas Townsquare Media

Catching People's Attention

This week is important in Minnesota for another reason. It's Air Quality Awareness Week. For some people, they’ve waited to get back outside and to have things in the air to keep that from happening. It can be really frustrating.

Older folks, people with lung or heart issues and children can really be impacted by air pollution.

Things Have Gotten Better

The good news is the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says that over the last twenty years or so, there have been improvements to our air quality.

Advancements in technology, along with stricter environmental regulations, lifestyle adjustments and just an overall growing awareness about air pollution have been the leading reasons for things to get some better.

Photo Credit: Dave Thomas Townsquare Media

Keeping Close Tabs On The Situation

But the state is keeping a vigilant eye on the air quality that its residents are exposed to. There are fifty monitoring stations around Minnesota that are constantly evaluating the air quality.

This measuring allows the state to develop data over the years to track trends in pollutants as well as be ready to issue any warnings to the public that might be needed.

Another ongoing aspect for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is to always be working on ways to reduce emissions that will benefit the state's residents.

Hopefully you’re able to enjoy the opening of fishing season and Mother’s Day this weekend and if you find you’re having difficulty breathing when you’re outside, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.