Kiera Jefferson
Minnesota has made significant progress in reducing air pollution over the past few decades, with overall tons of pollutants emitted from highway vehicles decreasing by nearly 50% since 1990. However, air pollution remains a pressing issue, causing severe health issues for Minnesotans and contributing to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths annually. While large facilities with smokestacks, such as factories and power plants, contribute to a substantial portion of emissions, neighborhood sources, such as vehicles, local businesses, and wood-burning, are now the primary drivers of air pollution. Additionally, water pollution from chloride and wetland degradation poses a significant threat to the state's water resources and ecosystems. With the complex interplay of various pollution sources, Minnesota faces the challenge of mitigating these issues to protect the health and well-being of its residents and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greatest factor in air pollution | Vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, wood fires, and gas-powered yard and recreational equipment |
| Air pollution-related deaths in 2013 | 2,000-4,000 |
| Air pollution-related hospital stays in 2013 | 500 |
| Air pollution-related emergency room visits in 2013 | 800 |
| Air pollution-related deaths in 2015 | 1,600 |
| Air pollution-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits in 2015 | 500 |
| Percentage of air pollution-related deaths in 2015 that were in the Twin Cities metro area | 10% |
| Percentage of air pollution-related deaths in Duluth | 8% |
| Percentage of air pollution-related deaths in Rochester | 10% |
| Percentage of air pollution-related deaths in St. Cloud | 8% |
| Water pollution | Chloride used in road salts for de-icing |
| Wetland acreage lost in the past century | 50% |
| Primary source of hazardous air pollutants | Manufacturing sources |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution from vehicles, factories, and power plants
While people typically associate air pollution with factories and power plants, these sources only account for about a quarter of air pollution in Minnesota. The remaining pollution comes from a range of everyday sources, such as vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, and wood fires, which are referred to as neighbourhood sources. These smaller emitters contribute significantly more pollution than all industrial sources combined.
On-road motor vehicles make up approximately 28% of overall emissions in Minnesota, while off-road vehicles and equipment contribute an additional 19%. Older diesel vehicles and equipment can produce alarmingly high amounts of harmful air pollution; an older diesel engine can emit over 97% more fine particulate pollution than newer models. Federal regulations have played a crucial role in reducing vehicle emissions by mandating increased efficiency and lower pollution levels, as well as the removal of lead from gasoline and the reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel.
Large facilities, such as factories and power plants, are regulated and must comply with air pollution permits. Permitted facilities have achieved significant reductions in emissions over the past two decades, thanks in part to the Clean Air Act and Minnesota's 2006 Mercury Emissions Reduction Act. These regulations have led to a nearly 70% reduction in emissions from power plants and substantial decreases in haze-forming pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Despite these positive developments, air pollution in Minnesota continues to have significant negative health impacts. It contributes to asthma, increased susceptibility to allergens, cancer, heart attacks, and bronchitis. Air pollution played a role in about 10% of all deaths in the Twin Cities metro area in 2015 and led to numerous hospitalizations and emergency room visits for heart and lung problems.
Addressing air pollution from neighbourhood sources is challenging due to their prevalence and number. However, larger-scale efforts can help, such as requiring manufacturers to produce lower-emitting equipment. Additionally, incentives, education, and technical assistance can support small businesses and individuals in reducing their pollution output.
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Water pollution from chloride and mercury
Minnesota faces water pollution from various sources, including chloride and mercury. While air pollution has decreased over the last two decades, water pollution remains a significant issue.
Chloride Pollution
Chloride is a water pollutant that enters surface waters, groundwater, and soil after snow melts, removing salt from icy roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. It is a significant issue in Minnesota, with 50 water bodies classified as impaired by chloride and salt impacting at least 221 river miles, 55 acres of wetlands, and 1,400 acres of lakes. The chloride levels have increased in 59 water bodies over the past decade, and it is estimated that 365,000 tons of road salt is applied in the Twin Cities metro area each year. Once chloride enters water, it is challenging to remove, and it can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life, even at low concentrations.
Mercury Pollution
Mercury is another contaminant of concern in Minnesota's water. It is a naturally occurring element that is toxic to humans and animals. While federal and state regulations have been implemented to reduce mercury emissions and control the sale, use, and disposal of mercury, it remains a persistent pollutant. The MPCA has set goals to reduce mercury emissions further to ensure the safety of fish for human consumption.
Combined Impacts
The combined impacts of chloride and mercury pollution in Minnesota's water bodies have far-reaching consequences for the environment and human health. The pollution affects aquatic life and contributes to water quality issues, while also impacting drinking water sources for humans. The state and federal governments have implemented various measures to address these issues, but the persistent nature of these pollutants makes it challenging to remediate affected water bodies.
Ongoing Efforts
To address water pollution, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) offers grant funding to selected communities to help reduce chloride pollution and provides educational resources and technical assistance to raise awareness about the impacts of salt pollution. The MPCA also works with stakeholders to reduce mercury emissions and develop plans to ensure the safety of fish for consumption.
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Health impacts of pollution, including asthma and cancer
While air pollution levels in Minnesota have decreased over the past few decades and currently meet federal standards, the current levels of air pollution are still high enough to cause significant negative health impacts for Minnesotans. Air pollution can affect all parts of the body, including the lungs, heart, and brain.
People who are frequently exposed to wood smoke are at risk of serious adverse health effects. Wood smoke contains wood tars, gases, soot, and chemicals like carbon monoxide, dioxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fine particles. Short-term exposure to fine particles in the air can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase the risk of respiratory infections. Scientists have also linked short-term exposure to an increased risk of heart attacks and abnormal heartbeats. Prolonged exposure to fine particles in the air increases the chances of developing chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, or lung cancer.
Air pollution can also increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, and it more severely affects people who are already ill. People’s health risks from air pollution vary widely depending on age, location, underlying health, and other factors. For instance, children are more at risk than adults because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster, which means they take in more polluted air. Being exposed to pollution as a child increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD as an adult. Older people are more at risk, especially if they have long-term lung conditions or heart disease. If you are pregnant, pollution can affect your unborn baby. Exposure to both ozone and particle pollution during pregnancy is associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.
In Minnesota, the highest estimated rates of death and disease related to air pollution were in communities with higher percentages of low-income communities and minority populations. These communities often have higher rates of heart and lung conditions, driven by systemic racism, housing insecurity, discrimination in healthcare, and other social and economic factors. Existing health conditions make these communities more susceptible to poor air quality.
While permitted facilities like power plants and factories still make up 21% of the total emissions in the state, they have achieved significant reductions in the past 20 years, thanks in part to the Clean Air Act. However, the majority of air pollution comes from a wide variety of everyday, neighborhood sources, including vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, wood fires, and gas-powered yard and recreational equipment.
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Wildfire smoke and air quality warnings
While air pollution levels in Minnesota have decreased over the past few decades, and the state currently meets federal standards, air pollution still has a significant impact on the health of Minnesotans. Air pollution contributed to around 10% of all deaths in the Twin Cities metro area in 2015, and it continues to be a major factor in hospitalizations and emergency room visits for heart and lung problems.
One of the greatest factors in air pollution in Minnesota is residential wood burning, which accounted for 55% of the state's direct fine particle emissions in the most recent emissions inventory. Wildfires, both local and in nearby states and countries, also contribute significantly to air pollution in Minnesota. In recent years, wildfires in Canada have been responsible for more "bad air" days than in-state sources.
When wildfires occur, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issues air quality alerts to warn residents of the potential health risks associated with wildfire smoke. During these periods, residents are advised to reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, and avoid intense activities to reduce their exposure to harmful smoke. Sensitive individuals, such as those with existing heart or lung conditions, are at an increased risk of experiencing health effects from wildfire smoke and may need to take additional precautions.
The MPCA provides several resources to help residents stay informed about air quality conditions and take appropriate actions to protect their health. The MPCA's Air Quality Index webpage and the EPA AirNow mobile app provide up-to-date information on air quality levels in different areas of the state. The MPCA also offers guidance on how to reduce air pollution and protect indoor and outdoor air quality.
In addition to the MPCA's resources, the Minnesota Department of Health offers specific guidance on protecting against the health effects of wildfire smoke. They recommend that residents take precautions such as wearing N95 masks, monitoring their symptoms, and seeking medical attention if necessary. The department also highlights the disproportionate impact of wildfire smoke on minority and impoverished communities, which already bear a higher burden of heart and lung diseases.
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Environmental justice and health equity concerns
Environmental justice and health equity are significant concerns in Minnesota, where air pollution has led to severe health issues and even fatalities. While air pollution levels have decreased over the past few decades and currently meet federal standards, the impact on residents' health remains significant. Air pollution played a role in about 10% of all deaths in the Twin Cities metro area in 2015, with nearly 500 hospitalizations and emergency room visits for heart and lung problems.
Minnesota's Air Quality Index, which measures pollutant concentration, reached a record high in the summer of 2021 due to wildfire smoke, resulting in hazardous air quality. This disproportionately affects communities of colour, with ZIP codes having significantly higher rates of asthma-related emergency room visits. Systemic racism, housing insecurity, healthcare discrimination, and other socioeconomic factors contribute to the higher vulnerability of these communities.
The sources of air pollution in Minnesota are diverse. While large facilities with smokestacks, such as factories and power plants, contribute to about 21% of total emissions, neighbourhood sources, such as vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, and wood fires, are more prevalent and account for a larger share of emissions. Residential wood burning, for instance, accounted for 55% of fine particle emissions in the state.
Water pollution is also a concern in Minnesota. The state has lost approximately half of its original wetland acreage through draining and filling for agriculture and development. While there have been recent gains in total wetland acreage, many of these new wetlands are ponds with limited ecological value. Additionally, chloride, a water pollutant used in road salts, enters surface waters, groundwater, and soil after snowmelt, further impacting water quality.
To address these issues, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provides financial incentives, education, and technical assistance to reduce pollution from small businesses and neighbourhood sources. The MPCA also developed the MNRISKS tool to assess the cumulative impact of air pollution on human health. Environmental assistance grants, such as the Volkswagon Settlement, and programs like the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative, are being utilised to advance environmental justice and health equity goals.
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Frequently asked questions
While large facilities with smokestacks, such as factories and power plants, are often thought of as the main sources of air pollution, only about a quarter of air pollution in Minnesota comes from smokestack facilities. The rest comes from a wide variety of everyday, neighborhood sources like vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, wood fires, and gas-powered yard equipment.
Chloride, a water pollutant used in road salts for de-icing, is one of the main sources of water pollution in Minnesota. It enters surface waters, groundwater, and soil after snow melts. Additionally, over the last century, Minnesota has lost about half of its original wetland acreage through draining and filling for agriculture and development, which has impacted the state's water quality.
Even low and moderate levels of air pollution can contribute to serious illnesses and early death in Minnesota. Fine particle pollution (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone are two common air pollutants that have been estimated to contribute to thousands of deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in the state. Air pollution can also worsen existing health conditions such as asthma, COPD, and heart and lung problems.
Minnesota has implemented several measures to reduce pollution, including the Clean Air Act, which has resulted in significant emissions reductions from power plants. The state also passed the 2006 Mercury Emissions Reduction Act, requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce mercury emissions by 90%. Additionally, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provides financial incentives, education, and technical assistance to help reduce pollution from small businesses and other neighborhood sources.
