What do fireworks, campfires, lawn mowing, and road trips have in common? Summertime! And, unfortunately, air pollution. As you enjoy your summer activities, remember the simple things you can do to help our environment.
Breathe easy: Reduce your contribution to air pollution
Though Minnesota generally has good air quality, we are sometimes exposed to pollutants that affect our health. The two pollutants of most concern in Minnesota are ozone and PM2.5.
PM2.5 is a word for fine particles, so tiny they are 30-40 times smaller than the width of an average human hair. Fine particles come from the burning of gas, diesel, wood, and coal. These fine particles can pass through the lungs to affect the heart and cardiovascular system.
Ozone, the main component of smog, is a gas formed during hot, sunny weather when fumes from solvents and chemicals mix with emissions from petroleum fuels. It is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and it can worsen the symptoms of asthma.
If you or a family member is sensitive to air pollution, pay particular attention when the temperatures are over 90 degrees or when the air is stagnant. Also be aware of activities that expose people to pollution, such as fireworks, campfires, heavy traffic, and small motors.
Your choices make a difference
Each of us can reduce our contribution to ozone and fine particles:
Reduce small engine use. Mow your grass less often, try an electric mower, or reduce total lawn area by installing native plants, rain gardens, or vegetable gardens.
Use less electricity. We burn coal or natural gas to make most of our electricity, so energy-saving tips are good for air quality, too.
Reconsider the campfire. Keep recreational fires small and use only clean, dry wood. Stop burning wood during air pollution health alerts and never burn garbage.
Fuel up carefully. Don't top off the fuel tank beyond where the automatic nozzle clicks off. It forces vapors out of the tank and potentially leads to spills. In the summer, also try to refuel after 8 p.m. when it's cooler.
Get on your bike — what's not to like?
A relatively cool and dry summer has made biking even more attractive for Minnesotans. Good for you and for our air quality.
Get help finding a bike route. Cyclopath finds bicycle routes in the Twin Cities based on a "bikeability" ranking. You can also share knowledge or rank routes.
Check out Bikeverywhere for bicycle maps and guides for Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Bike Walk Twin Cities invites you to "be your own engine," and put people power first in an all-out effort to increase biking and walking (and decrease driving).
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's summer exhibit, Waterosity, celebrates water through and playful installations and exhibits. You can learn about water-wise landscaping, rain barrels, green roofs, and more, June-September (Chaska).
Enjoy three days of eco workshops, exhibitors, food, games, and kids' activities at the 2009 EcoSquared Fair, an event held in conjunction with the Cass County Fair, July 16-18, Cass County Fairgrounds (Pine River).
Though Minnesota generally has good air quality, we are sometimes exposed to pollutants that affect our health. The two pollutants of most concern in Minnesota are ozone and PM2.5. 
