The state did slightly better than last year, with Anoka County scoring an “A” for ozone, up from a “B” grade in the 2007 State of the Air Report.

“Some of the major factors in air pollution are climate and geography, and Minnesota has some built-in advantages in both,” said Bob Moffitt, communications director for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. “Another factor is Minnesota’s willingness to embrace greener and cleaner fuels and technologies, such as wind power, biofuels and hybrid-electric vehicles.”

Moffitt noted that the 2008 State of the Air Report did not use the newer, slightly more stringent guidelines on ozone pollution that were adopted this year, and that the North Star State is not exempt from air pollution challenges. “Our single largest source of air pollution is vehicle exhaust, and we all know how the number of vehicles on our roads – often stuck in traffic – is directly linked to the number of ‘air alert’ days we have in Minnesota.”

The American Lung Association has tips on reducing air pollution on its CleanAirChoice.org website, to see a copy of the full State of the Air Report, visit stateoftheair.org.

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