Why it matters: Long-term exposure to poor air quality is harmful to your health.
By the numbers: The average percentage of fine particle pollution in the Twin Cities increased 12.3% from 2021-23, compared to 2014-16.
In both periods, the metro's fine particle levels ranked in the middle of the pack for U.S. cities.
The big picture: Tracking fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a helpful indicator, but it doesn't account for all variables in overall air quality — so pollution can be worse than it appears on your weather app.
Overall, the American Lung Association gives the Twin Cities a "passing" grade for annual particle pollution levels, but a "C" for high ozone days.