Twin Cities air 'unhealthy for all' first time in 25 years...

[MnFats]

"St. Paul (AP) For the first time in at least 25 years, Twin Cities air has been declared "unhealthy for all" by the state's environmental agency.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued that alert after the Twin Cities Air Quality Index hit 154. A reading from 151 to 200 is considered unhealthy for everyone.

The MPCA said soot has been trapped near the ground for several days by moist, stagnant air, and more particles have moved into Minnesota from the south.

The soot came primarily from combustion in the area, including car exhaust, fireplaces and industrial sources."


Thanks a lot, Dubya.We used to routinely enjoy fairly clean air. Yeah, I know, some of it's weather-related, but this kind of shit NEVER used to happen.


http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_032111235.html

[dpbrown]

1. And thanks to his toady, Pawlenty

Thank you for the corporate deregulation, sir! May I have another?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. They said 25 years..

I remember from my college days (1968-1972) crossing the pedestrian bridge over Washington Avenue on the University campus, looking towards downtown, and seeing the buildings against a brown backdrop once in a while. I hadn't seen that since, though, and I attributed it to changes in auto emissions.

Anyway, today's pollution alert explains my respiratory-symptoms-that-feel-like-allergies-except-for-the-complete-lack-of-living-vegetation-here-at-this-time-of-year.

I think I'll do my errands over the phone and postpone the ones that would have required driving.

[Hardrada]

3. Will all that gentrification in downtown MPLS

go for naught??

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Not if it makes people drive less, which will

reduce air pollution. :-)

I don't mean to say that only downtown had brown skies. It was simply more visible if you looked toward downtown.

[Hardrada]

5. I used to live for several years

Right in MPLS a block and half away from the Black Forest Inn if you know where that is. And in St.Paul on Como Avenue before that. Como seemed a little less gritty. I suppose I ruined my lungs for good. But I haven't had any symptoms yet so maybe........

[wellst0nev0ter]

6. I Thought I Couldn't See As Many Stars In The Nighttime

And the view of the Twin Cities skyline from downtown Burnsville looks as hazy as ever.

Once again, thanks alot Dumbya, and pass it on to your monkeyboy Pawlenty.

[bvar22]

7. Worst. Winter. EVER.

in Twin Cities!
:(