ozone

When most people think of unhealthy air, they think of a stifling, summer day, plagued by high ozone levels and a thick layer of smog over the Twin Cities. However, Minnesota’s worst recorded air alert occurred during the winter of 2005, and ozone was not the culprit. Instead, a stagnant air mass trapped fine-particle pollution near the ground.

No city in Minnesota can compete with Los Angeles or Houston on air pollution levels. Minnesotans are unfamiliar with "ozone alerts." An ozone alert is declared by the government when pollution (ozone) in the air reaches a level that poses health risks to sensitive populations (elderly, children or anyone with compromised health). Typically, sensitive individuals are advised to stay in air-conditioned spaces.