With temperatures nearing the triple digits, many Minnesota residents are finding ways to beat the heat.
Stepping outside has been like walking into a sauna lately, and those high temperatures can change the air quality quickly. FOX 9 News spoke with Cassie McMahon, of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, to find out why that is and what can be done.
Watch the video for more information.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air pollution health advisory for the metro area from noon until midnight on Monday, but the officials plan to extend the advisory for the next two days.
The Air Quality Index is expected to reach 97 AQI in the Twin Cities today, just below conditions considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. If the Air Quality Index exceeds 101, the MPCA will issue an air pollution alert because at that point, the air could be dangerous for kids, the elderly, or people with asthma.
Not only is it hot and soupy outside, but the smoke from the Colorado wildfires is playing a part in the health advisory as well. On days like these, the MPCA asks people to help out in any way they can. From not idling your car to waiting until after 6 p.m. to put gas in your car and putting off mowing your lawn, there are steps residents can take to help reduce ground-level o-zone creation.
