Air quality alert extended until noon on Saturday for Red River Valley and Canadian Border region, remainder of the alert allowed to expire The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northern Minnesota, effective Friday, July 16, at 9 a.m. through noon on Saturday, July 17. The affected area includes Hibbing, International Falls, Ely, Virginia, Roseau, Moorhead, East Grand Forks and the tribal areas of Grand Portage. The remainder of the alert expires at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 16. Smoke from wildfires located in far northern Minnesota and southern Ontario will linger over the Red River Valley and Canadian Border area. The smoke is expected to gradually clear Saturday but Orange AQI conditions, an Air Quality Index category level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, will continue until the smoke moves northward out of Minnesota. People whose health is affected by unhealthy air quality: There are people who are more likely to be affected when ozone pollution reaches an unhealthy level. People who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Children and teenagers. People of all ages who are doing extended or heavy, physical activity like playing sports or working outdoors. Some healthy people who are more sensitive to ozone even though they have none of the risk factors. There may be a genetic base for this increased sensitivity. Health effects: Unhealthy ozone levels can aggravate lung diseases like asthma, emphysema, and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing deeply, shortness of breath, throat soreness, wheezing, coughing, or unusual fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider. Take precautions: Everyone should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy. Take it easy and listen to your body. Limit, change, or postpone your physical activity. If possible, stay away from local sources of air pollution like busy roads and wood fires. If you have asthma, or other breathing conditions like COPD, make sure you have your relief/rescue inhaler with you. People with asthma should review and follow guidance in their written asthma action plan. Make an appointment to see your health provider if you don't have an asthma action plan.  Pollution reduction tips: Ozone is produced on hot, sunny days by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen. Reduce vehicle trips and fill-up the gas tank at dawn or dusk. Encourage use of public transport, or carpool, when possible. Postpone use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment on air alert days. Use battery or manual equipment instead. Avoid backyard fires. For information on current air quality conditions in your area and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by email, text message, phone, or the Minnesota Air mobile app, visit MPCA's Air Quality Index webpage. You can find additional information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality at Air Quality and Health webpage.  You can update or cancel your subscription at any time by editing your personal profile. All you will need are your email address and your password (if you have selected one). P.S. If you have any questions or problems please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.  STAY CONNECTED:   MDH on Twitter     MDH on Facebook     MDH on LinkedIn   This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Health · 625 Robert Street North · St. Paul MN 55155 · 651-201-5000