The City of Minneapolis is recognizing National Air Quality Awareness Week by highlighting programs it uses to track local air quality and provide tips to community members to improve neighborhood air quality. This week comes at a time of the year when we are spending more time outside and outdoor air quality is a contributing factor to an individual’s and community’s health.
Outdoor air quality affects health
Air quality issues can affect everyone, especially those living with asthma or other breathing challenges. Minnesota is fortunate to generally enjoy good air quality. However, some communities are disproportionately affected by air pollution, including people earning lower incomes and people in Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color.
To help improve the air quality, the City launched the community air monitoring project to focus on our most impacted areas.
- 2021: Green Zone community members identified areas of air quality concern where air sensors should be placed.
- 2022: PurpleAir sensors were installed throughout the city, with a focus on the city's environmental justice communities. The project serves as a real-time tool to inform the City and its residents about local air quality.
- 2023: AQMesh sensors were installed throughout the city, providing screening-level data about air toxics, a primary concern to residents.
- Coming soon: New air monitors (SENSIT® SPODs) that measure volatile organic compounds, gases released from industrial and neighborhood sources, will start collecting data in early May.
Learn more about hosting a PurpleAir sensor.
“The community air monitoring project allows our community members to serve as their own scientists and advocates, providing knowledge about their air and when action should be taken to protect yourself from poor air quality,” said Jenni Lansing, senior environmental project manager for the Health Department. “In addition to industrial pollution, everyday things like recreational fires, gas-powered lawn equipment and the way we drive our cars impact local air quality. We hope community members become more aware of how their actions contribute to air quality and the small changes they can take to improve it.”
Recreational fires: Follow the law and be a good neighbor
As more people go outside in the spring, backyard fires become a popular social activity. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, residential wood burning accounts for 55% of Minnesota’s tiny pollution particles in the air. The tiny particles are small enough to be breathed in and even enter the bloodstream affecting a person’s health. When having a fire in your yard, consider the health of yourself, your family and your neighbors.
Recreational fire laws:
- Avoid burning when Minneapolis is under an air pollution advisory. Fires release fine particles that contribute to air pollution and are implicated in health problems including strokes, heart attacks and asthma. Sign up for air quality alerts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
- Outdoor recreational fires are permitted between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Keep fires small: less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high.
- Burn only untreated, unpainted, dry wood. Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris, because the smoke can be toxic.
- Have a hose or fire extinguisher present.
Learn more about City regulations around recreational fires.
For more information on recreational fires or to register a complaint about a recreational fire, call or email 311. To register a complaint about a recreational fire outside 311 hours, call 911.
For the Minneapolis law on recreational fires, visit the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Chapter 178.
Neighborhood air pollution comes from everyday sources
Gas-powered yard equipment and vehicle idling are other common sources of air pollution.
The pollution released by gas landscaping equipment contributes to climate change and is harmful to our health. One hour of operating a new gas lawn mower puts out the same amount of pollution as driving a new car 45 miles, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Community members could consider an electric or push mower to help reduce pollution.
Idling vehicles
Vehicle idling uses more gas every 10 seconds than restarting your car does. In Minneapolis, it is against the law for any vehicle to idle for more than three minutes (five minutes for diesel trucks and buses) except in traffic. So, the next time you are idling your car, turn off the engine to save money and provide a breath of fresh air.