Millions of drivers have been urged to steer clear of drive-thru lanes in a bid to improve air quality amid a string of pollution warnings across a swathe of the US.
Poor air across Minnesota and Texas prompted forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a string of alerts on Tuesday.
They suggested a number of tips that drivers and residents can follow to help ease the situation—and warned that the health of vulnerable groups, such as people with asthma or heart problems, could be at risk.
Why It Matters
A 2020 study from researchers at the University of Minnesota researchers revealed that pollution leads to 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Around half of all air pollution-related deaths are from fine particulate matter, which arise from burning fossil fuels, while the remaining fatalities are largely caused from the animal agriculture industry, dust from construction and roads, and burning wood for heating and cooking.
Stock image illustrating emissions from a car’s exhaust pipe. Stock image illustrating emissions from a car’s exhaust pipe. Matt Cardy/Getty Images
What To Know
Minnesota’s poor air quality has been exacerbated by wildfire smoke, the NWS said. Parts of the state have been beset by blazes in recent months, with one wildfire in May consuming more than 35,000 acres of land, although the current problems are being caused by smoke drifting down from Canadian fires. The smoke, combined with current weather conditions, has led to poor air quality in some areas.
In Texas, which is currently also subject to a number of heat warnings, it is the ozone which is causing problems for air quality. Ozone is a gas that occurs both above the Earth and at ground level. The layer in the upper atmosphere protects the planet from the Sun’s radiation, but ozone that forms at ground level—caused by a chemical reaction in the sunlight between pollutants such as car exhaust fumes and power plant emissions—is harmful.
It is hoped that motorists will leave their vehicles at home, avoid idling their engines or using drive-thru lanes, and instead use public transport or car shares to lessen the impact on the environment.
Minnesota Warnings
“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particles pollution,” the NWS said. “The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Red or Unhealthy category.” North central, northwest, northeast, and east central Minnesota are all affected by the warning, which will remain in place from 6 a.m. CDT Tuesday until 11 p.m. CDT Wednesday.
The general public may suffer some adverse effects from the poor quality air, while “sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects,” the NWS added.
“The general public should limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.”
Texas Warnings
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an “Ozone Action Day” (OAD) for the areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria, the NWS said. The OAD alert “informs the public when conditions are forecast to be favorable for high ozone levels,” according to the TCEQ website.
“Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution…[on]Tuesday,” the NWS said. “You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive-through lanes, conserving energy, and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.”
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says: “Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system—whether you are outdoors or indoors, where they can cause health problems…[and] also aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases—and are even linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.”
Addressing the problem of ozone, the EPA says: “Ozone in the air we breathe can harm our health, especially on hot sunny days when ozone can reach unhealthy levels. People at greatest risk of harm from breathing air containing ozone include people with asthma.”
What Happens Next
Residents of Minnesota and Texas should check their local forecasts for the most-up-to-date information and follow the advice issued by authorities relating to air quality warnings.
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