Minnesota's air is 20th most polluted in country according to HealthGrove big data report

In the Lincoln, Nebraska Journal Star, Christina Lavinga writes in Interactive: The most polluted states in America:

Nebraska is on the list of most polluted states in America. See how it stacks up with those even more polluted and what the statistics show about pollution here.

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HealthGrove analyzed average daily fine particulate matter (ug/m3) from 2003 to 2011. We ranked the 25 most polluted states based on PM2.5 particle levels. For each state, we list the most polluted county as well as the rate of cancer and heart disease deaths — both of which are correlated to air pollutant levels

Minnesotans addicted to listicles delineating Minnesota's awesomeness aren't going to be happy that Minnesota is in the top 25, but may find some solace in knowing that since we're number 20, 19 other states breathe even dirtier air that ours.

Here are the quick facts for Minnesota, according to the article:

Air Pollution (ug/m3): 11.69

Cancer Deaths (per 100K): 177.1

Heart Disease Deaths (per 100K): 142.3

Most Polluted County: Pope

A reader sent us the article, with questions about what made Chippewa County part of the bruised eye at the center of the map. We'll have to investigate that in the light of day.

In the meantime, we embed the interactive below so that readers can click on their counties for the dirty truth:

 

Screenshot: We're #20! In air pollution!

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's original posts and analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:

Email subscribers can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.

Related articles

BAH & Invasive Terrestrial Plants & Pests Center may receive more resources to fight bird flu

Will Detroit Lakes city government get stung by hotel development's legal and ethical waspnest?

MPCA penalizes Tiller's North Branch sand facility for all sorts of weird stuff in the air

Comments

[Phoenix Woman]

Would the cause stem from the activities of those out-of-state carpetbagging business on whose behalf Minnesota Republicans have working to gut local control by pitting Minnesotans against each other?

Bluestem replies: We think that framing this as an result of people who aren't from around here lets Minnesota's corporations and such off the hook. That preserves a since of Minnesota Nice for each other, but air quality not so much.