Ten Cities That Now Have The Worst Air Quality In Minnesota

Minnesota Cities with the Worst Air Quality

We may be proud of our 10,000 Lakes here in Minnesota, but these cities are now known for having the worst air quality in the state.

When it comes to pollution in the North Star State, most of us think that our fair state is above average. Our pristine lakes, prairies, parks and recreational areas are great for getting some fresh– unpolluted– air, right? Heck, we even have our own state agency that was established to get a handle on pollution.

That would be the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), by the way. And, since its founding back in 1967– three years before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed– it’s been serious about keeping the Land of 10,000 Lakes clean:

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate. Through the authority of state and federal statutes and guidelines, we focus on preventing and reducing the pollution of air, land, and water.

And it turns out the MPCA is apparently doing a pretty good job, too. Because according to the latest Air Quality Index by the World Population Review, Minnesota is currently the 9th best state in the country when it comes to air quality. We scored a lowly 38.3 out of 500 on the Air Quality Index, which looks levels of ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.

However, even in one of the top 10 states for air quality, as the Bold North currently is, some cities are worse than others. According to the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) from IQ Air, which is measured on a scale from 0 (least polluted) to 500 (most polluted), the following Minnesota cities have the worst air quality (as of April 8, 2024):

AQI Real-Time Minnesota Most-Polluted City Rankings

1. Crystal – 59
2. Mound – 58
3. Falcon Heights – 54
4. Minneapolis – 53
5. Chaska – 52
6. Roseville – 52
7. Maple Grove – 51
8. Shakopee – 51
9. North Saint Paul – 48
10. Minnetonka – 47

And, on the other end of the spectrum, IQ Air also lists the Minnesota cities with the best air quality, as well (also as of April 8, 2024):

AQI Real-Time Minnesota Cleanest City Rankings 

1. Alexandria – 0
2. Silver Bay – 0
3. Crosby – 1
4. Onamia – 1
5. Pequot Lakes – 1
6. Pierz – 1
7. Sturgeon Lake – 1
8. Baxter – 2
9. McGregor – 2
10. Shorewood – 2

Those rankings change, of course, in response to real-time events in and around the Gopher State, like when all that smoke from the Canadian wildfires burning out of control caused the MPCA to issue a record number of air quality alerts in 2023.

Check out the video below to get more information on Minnesota’s AQI, and keep scrolling to examine some other extremes– temperatures– both here in Minnesota and in every other U.S. state as well.

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Weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The issue of air pollution in Minnesota is connected to SDG 3 as it poses risks to human health and well-being. The article mentions that some cities in Minnesota have the worst air quality, which can lead to respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The issue of air pollution in Minnesota is also connected to SDG 11 as it highlights the need to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality. The article mentions the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a measure of air pollution in different cities in Minnesota.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the issue of air pollution is connected to SDG 13 as it is closely related to climate change. Air pollution contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, which is a key focus of SDG 13.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

This target is relevant to the issue of air pollution in Minnesota as it aims to reduce the negative health impacts caused by air pollution. The article highlights the need for clean air and mentions the efforts of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in preventing and reducing pollution.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

This target is directly related to the issue of air pollution in Minnesota’s cities. The article mentions the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a measure of air pollution and identifies cities with the worst and best air quality. It emphasizes the importance of addressing air quality as part of sustainable city development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions the Air Quality Index (AQI) from IQ Air as a measure of air pollution in different cities in Minnesota. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.6 of SDG 11, which focuses on improving air quality in cities. However, no specific indicators are mentioned for Target 3.9 of SDG 3, which addresses reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: krocnews.com

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