http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNPCA/bulletins/dee95e
[Note: This is the MPCA's release and the MPCA's
spin on the situation, not Alan Muller's]
For release: November 25, 2014
Contact:
<http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNPCA/bulletins/ralph.pribble@state.mn.us>
Pribble, 651-757-2657
[Note: This is the MPCA's release and the MPCA's
spin on the situation, not Alan Muller's]
For release: November 25, 2014
Contact:
<http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNPCA/bulletins/ralph.pribble@state.mn.us>
Pribble, 651-757-2657
----------
Air quality violation found in North Minneapolis
St. Paul-- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) has found that air quality in an
industrial part of North Minneapolis recently
violated a state standard for large airborne particles.
Although it isn't an immediate health threat,
this is a situation that concerns us, said MPCA
Industrial Division Manager Jeff Smith. "These
larger particles are less of a health risk
because they can't be inhaled deeply into the
lungs like small particles. However, any
violation of this nature is a serious matter."
The violation was detected by an air monitoring
station near the Lowry Avenue bridge on the west
bank of the Mississippi River. Levels of large
particles, also known as Total Suspended
Particulates (TSP), exceeded the state standard
on October 26 and November 1, 2014. This
triggered an MPCA investigation into possible
sources and corrective actions. That investigation is ongoing.
Smith said, "We know these larger particles tend
to be heavier and do not travel far. Therefore
the cause of the violation, and any effects, are
likely to be within about a quarter-mile of the monitor."
The station that detected the violation monitors
the overall quality of the ambient, or
background, air in that area. It does not measure
the emissions from specific nearby sources such
as regulated industries which are monitored
separately. There may be multiple nearby sources
that contributed to the problem.
Monitoring has continued since the violation was
identified. Although additional violations have
not been detected, the MPCA is looking into all
of the potential sources that may have caused or
contributed to the violation, and is moving
quickly to identify specific actions to prevent future violations.
The MPCA began operating a fine-particle monitor
at the site in January 2013, which measures
particles of 2.5 microns or less (a human hair is
about 70 microns in diameter). Fine particles are
of a greater concern to human health because they
can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs. The
fine-particle monitor was installed partly in
response to community concerns about air quality,
and has not shown any problems since start-up.
MPCA discovered the large-particle violation
after it expanded the types of particles
monitored at the station in October 2014 to
compare with other monitors in the Twin Cities.
"We will continue to follow up to see if the high
levels of large particles were isolated to just
those two days, or whether theyre part of a
larger pattern," Smith said. "Despite the fact
our investigation is not complete, we're already
taking steps to identify potential contributors
and work with them to reduce their emissions."
###
The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve
the environment and enhance human health.
Air quality violation found in North Minneapolis
St. Paul-- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) has found that air quality in an
industrial part of North Minneapolis recently
violated a state standard for large airborne particles.
Although it isn't an immediate health threat,
this is a situation that concerns us, said MPCA
Industrial Division Manager Jeff Smith. "These
larger particles are less of a health risk
because they can't be inhaled deeply into the
lungs like small particles. However, any
violation of this nature is a serious matter."
The violation was detected by an air monitoring
station near the Lowry Avenue bridge on the west
bank of the Mississippi River. Levels of large
particles, also known as Total Suspended
Particulates (TSP), exceeded the state standard
on October 26 and November 1, 2014. This
triggered an MPCA investigation into possible
sources and corrective actions. That investigation is ongoing.
Smith said, "We know these larger particles tend
to be heavier and do not travel far. Therefore
the cause of the violation, and any effects, are
likely to be within about a quarter-mile of the monitor."
The station that detected the violation monitors
the overall quality of the ambient, or
background, air in that area. It does not measure
the emissions from specific nearby sources such
as regulated industries which are monitored
separately. There may be multiple nearby sources
that contributed to the problem.
Monitoring has continued since the violation was
identified. Although additional violations have
not been detected, the MPCA is looking into all
of the potential sources that may have caused or
contributed to the violation, and is moving
quickly to identify specific actions to prevent future violations.
The MPCA began operating a fine-particle monitor
at the site in January 2013, which measures
particles of 2.5 microns or less (a human hair is
about 70 microns in diameter). Fine particles are
of a greater concern to human health because they
can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs. The
fine-particle monitor was installed partly in
response to community concerns about air quality,
and has not shown any problems since start-up.
MPCA discovered the large-particle violation
after it expanded the types of particles
monitored at the station in October 2014 to
compare with other monitors in the Twin Cities.
"We will continue to follow up to see if the high
levels of large particles were isolated to just
those two days, or whether theyre part of a
larger pattern," Smith said. "Despite the fact
our investigation is not complete, we're already
taking steps to identify potential contributors
and work with them to reduce their emissions."
###
The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve
the environment and enhance human health.