If the air is clear, it must be clean . Many people believe that air pollution affects big cities more than rural areas. Scientists have discovered various toxic substances in the air even in smaller regional centers around the state. Toxic chemicals include acrolein, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and chromium. While many people think that poor air quality is a problem in metropolitan areas only, computer modeling and monitoring suggests that some of these chemicals exceed health benchmarks in communities such as Alexandria, Mankato, Willmar, Grand Rapids and Fergus Falls.
Motor vehicles are a major source of pollutants.
For more information, go to the MPCA Air Toxics page. Recycling not keeping pace People pretty much have settled in to the recycling habit. While recycling tonnage has increased over the past decade, it's not keeping up with the increase in solid waste. From 1992 to 1998 the per capita generation of municipal solid waste has increased by about 24 percent. In 1999 every Minnesotan in a municipal solid waste collection system tossed out 1.14 tons of garbage, up from .91 tons in 1992.