Air
Quality
Although many air pollutants are invisible, they can seriously impact our health, the environment, and our quality of life. Air pollutants may cause respiratory diseases, cancer and other health effects. Pollutants also may create odors and smog, diminish the protective ozone layer, and contribute to other environmental problems, such as acid rain and global climate change. The air inside homes, schools, and other buildings also may contain pollutants that enter from outdoors and those generated indoors. Mold, radon, tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, and chemical emissions from products and furnishings are some of the important pollutants that may be present in our homes and other indoor environments.
Finding solutions to these and other air pollution problems isn't always easy, and requires agencies, environmental organizations, industry, and the public to work together. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works closely with government agencies, the public, and others who are concerned about air quality to:
- Provide consultation, trainings, and presentations to schools, local health agencies, regulated parties, and others regarding a variety of air quality issues;
- Enforce the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, which regulates smoking in indoor public places;
- Encourage testing and reduction of radon in homes, through educational efforts and the management of federal radon grant money;
- Conduct site-specific assessments of health risks from air pollutants emitted by industries, hazardous waste sites, feedlots, and other pollution sources;
- Evaluate the effects of air pollution on vulnerable populations, such as children and people with respiratory diseases so that risk assessment methods are adequately protective of human health;
- Develop Health-Based Rules and Guidance for Air used for site-specific assessments and air permit reviews;
- Track research about the health effects of air pollutants on an ongoing basis, and incorporate new methods and data into health risk assessments and best practices guidelines;
- Reduce mercury air emissions as part of the Fish Consumption Advice/Advisory Program.
If you still have questions after using the MDH internet resources, see:
For information about air quality in Minnesota, including monitoring and regulating outdoor air pollution:
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