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By Chloe Mayer
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Residents living across a huge area spanning three states have been warned of dangerous air pollution levels on Tuesday.
Swathes of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin are all affected by poor air quality, with an area around Minneapolis covered by one of the most severe warnings.
Smoke from wildfires, combined with the current weather conditions, have contributed to the pollution.
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Why It Matters
Health officials warn that vulnerable populations — such as children, older adults and individuals with existing respiratory issues — face heightened risks during periods of poor air quality. Even healthy members of the general public may experience health effects when air pollution reaches dangerous levels.
Minnesota has been beset by wildfires this week, adding misery to the devastation already caused by a string of blazes last month that consumed more than 35,000 acres of land.
What To Know
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which offers a real-time snapshot of air quality, shows that air pollution levels across swathes of Minnesota, and parts of Iowa and Wisconsin, are deemed to be "unhealthy."
The Minnesota cities facing a red warning - with Air Quality Index (AQI) scores of between 151-200 - include Rochester, Willmar and Duluth.
The red warning means that "some members of the general public may experience health effects," while members of sensitive groups "may experience more serious health effects."
Meanwhile, a large area around Minneapolis faces a purple warning, which means air quality is "very unhealthy," with AQI scores of between 201-300. That is the second more severe reading, and indicates that the "risk of health effects is increased for everyone."
The towns of Ramsey, Lakeville and Faribault are also covered by the purple warning.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, the northwestern part of the state is affected by a red warning, including the Saint Croix Reservation and the city of Cumberland.
A large part of northern Iowa is also covered by a red warning, including the cities of Spencer and Storm Lake.
Newsweek has contacted the office of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for comment.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service (NWS) said: "During Unhealthy AQI (red category) conditions, some members of the general public may experience health effects and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, pregnant women, and outdoor workers. When conditions rise to the red category, everyone is advised to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and those in sensitive groups should consider moving activities indoors or rescheduling."
The EPA said that residents should stay inside wherever possible while the air quality is so poor. "The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles... [which] aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions," it said.
It added that wildfire smoke "can make the outdoor air unhealthy to breathe," and officials usually advise people "to stay indoors during a smoke event" where the air should be safer.
What Happens Next
Residents in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin should monitor their local weather reports, or check the AirNow app to keep informed about the air quality in their region.
The EPA provides advice on its website about how to keep the air inside as clean as possible, such as avoiding frying or broiling food, and not using candles, or smoking cigarettes or vapes.
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