Air quality, wildfires can impact health

Air Quality Awareness Week is May 2-6

Invisible but harmful: Air quality, wildfires can impact health Even low air pollution levels can contribute to serious illnesses  Air quality in Minnesota currently meets federal Clean Air Act standards and has, in fact, been improving. But air pollution is associated with a variety of harmful lung and heart health issues, including asthma, COPD, and heart disease. The severity of these effects varies depending on the type of the pollutant, level of exposure, and individual susceptibility. It's Air Quality Awareness Week May 2-6, 2022, and we invite you to participate! The theme this year is #BeAirAwareandPrepared! Join us and follow us on MDH's Social Media platforms - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We will feature an important air quality topic and share information, resources, and helpful links to that topic each day.   Learn more The pollutant of most concern from wildfire smoke is fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). PM 2.5 from wildfire smoke is damaging to human health because it can deeply penetrate lung tissue and even affect the heart and circulation. Learn more about fine particles (PM 2.5) and your health. Asthma ER visits due to air pollution are 5x higher in Twin Cities communities with greater numbers of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) than in other parts of the cities. Learn about air quality and health. Have you checked your #AQI today? Knowing the air quality in your community can help you better plan your daily activities. Sign up for air quality alerts. Related resources MDH Air Quality, Climate & Health MDH Asthma Program MDH Cardiovascular Health MDH Tracking Program MDH Wildfire Smoke Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help  |  health.state.mn.us

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