How wildfire smoke affects air quality and your health
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and health, featuring experts in epidemiology and meteorology.
Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota and Canada has drifted into other parts of Minnesota this week and triggered air quality alerts for much of the state. MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks about how air quality is monitored and forecast and the health risks of breathing wildfire smoke. Guests: Kathy Raleigh is an epidemiologist who works in the environmental health division of the Minnesota Department of Health. Matt Taraldsen is a meteorologist and supervisor of the team that issues air quality conditions, alerts and forecasts at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Resources discussed during the show: Air quality forecasts: Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Current air quality conditions AirNow.gov allows you to check current air quality conditions. You can also download the AirNow mobile app and sign up to receive air quality alerts and forecasts via email. Current air quality conditions | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us) Purple Air Minnesota Outdoor Air Quality Guidance for Schools and Child Care The MPCA's Air quality and health webpage has information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality and how to…
People in this episode
Host: Kelly Gordon
Guests: Kathy Raleigh, Matt Taraldsen
Topics covered
- wildfire smoke
- air quality
- health risks
- environmental health
- meteorology
Keywords
- wildfire smoke
- air quality
- health risks
- Minnesota
- environmental health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, AirNow.gov, Purple Air
More episodes of MPR News with Angela Davis
- The college enrollment cliff is here: Now what?
- How weather and climate shape wildfire risk
- What’s fueling northeastern Minnesota’s wildfires?
- The benefits of learning a new language as an adult
- How to prepare for extreme heat in Minnesota
- When a will isn't enough: How to pass on money and assets after you die
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast page.