Community Health Profile Information:
Minneapolis Sites
Minnesota Department of Health - Site Assessment and Consultation Unit
February 13, 2013
625 Robert Street N
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Phone: 651-201-4897
or toll-free 1-800-657-3908
Email: [email protected]
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/index.html
Asthma Hospitalizations
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease, marked by acute respiratory episodes or attacks. A person with asthma may have
wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing. Asthma episodes or “asthma attacks” may lead to hospitalization and,
in rare cases, death. Although the causes of asthma are not completely known, we do know that children and
adults who live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area are more likely than people living in Greater Minnesota to be
hospitalized for asthma. We also know that “triggers” (such as mold, allergens, respiratory infections and colds,
tobacco smoke, wood smoke, air pollution, exercise, or strong emotions) can cause asthma attacks. There is not a
cure for asthma, but medication can help control symptoms. Reducing triggers in the environment of a person
with asthma can help to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. In addition, following an asthma
action plan, under direction of a healthcare provider, can help a person with asthma control their asthma and
lessen the likelihood of an attack. (MDH Asthma Program website: http://www.health.state.mn.us/asthma/)
Asthma and Health
Health studies show a link between traffic, air pollution, and asthma. Children who live for long periods of time in
homes that are close to heavy traffic may be more likely to develop asthma. They also breathe in traffic-related
pollutants, like diesel exhaust, which can trigger an asthma attack. Exhaust from traffic can trigger more frequent
attacks if children live or go to school near a busy road.
Other environmental factors related to asthma include exposure to: poor indoor air quality, tobacco smoke,
mold/allergens, and exposure to furry pets and pests like cockroaches, dust mites and rodents. Some people with
asthma may be sensitive to odors and scents such as given off through the use of air fresheners, scented personal
care products and chemicals including those sometimes found in cleaning products.
Asthma affects many aspects of life. Children and adults with asthma may be absent from school or work more
often than others, or have difficulty with exercise and sports. However, with proper care, asthma can be
controlled and people with asthma should be able to live healthy, active lives.
Counting Asthma Hospitalizations
In Minnesota, data are available to count the number of hospitalizations for asthma by the zip code where
patients live. The information includes all asthma hospitalizations for people of all ages.
What the Information Shows
When we count hospitalizations for asthma in the City of Minneapolis, there are about 14 hospitalizations for
every 10,000 people. If we do a similar count for the Twin Cities metro area, there are about 8 hospitalizations for
every 10,000 people. For the state of Minnesota, there are about 7 hospitalizations for every 10,000 people.
Counting hospitalizations does not tell us how many people have asthma because one person might be
hospitalized more than once. Also, some people with asthma may avoid hospital care because access to the
hospital is difficult or because they do not have health insurance. In addition, people with health insurance may
choose to visit a clinic or physician instead of going to the hospital. Still, hospitalization data are the best available
data.
1
Age-adjusted Asthma Hospitalizations Rate per 10,000 People, 2008-2010
49Th
55430
V
U
Saint Anthony 65
§
¨
¦
29Th
55418
94
55412
49Th
Lyndale
Lyndale
55430
§
¨
¦
55412
U
V
65
Saint Anthony
29Th
55418
94
278
U
V
Broadway
55413
§
¨
¦
Plymouth
Plymouth
in
ep
Nicollet
§
¨
¦55405
394
94
55403
55406
5
46Th
55408
35Th
55406
38Th
55407
§
¨
¦
35W
V
U
28Th
35
U
V
54Th
City of Minneapolis
§
¨
¦
35W
U
V
62
Adult Hospitalization Rate
Unstable (<20 per Zipcode)
Central Zip Code Area
Unstable (<20 per Zipcode)
7 - 14
Parks and Recreation
2-9
15 - 24
25 - 39
30 - 39
The overall asthma
rate for children is
23 per 10,000 people
No Rate Calculated (<5 per Zipcode)
10 - 14
Data sources: Minnesota Hospital Association,
Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program
U
V
55
54Th
55417
55419
62
Child Hospitalization Rate
Cedar
en
54Th
50Th
55410
55
Penn
55419
28Th
55417
Que
Xerxes
Que
e
Xerxes
Penn
54Th
V
U
46Th
aha
aha
50Th
55409
neh
neh
46Th
§
¨
¦
Min
Min
55410
55409
ity
94
n
38Th
e rs
5545455455
Hennepin
35Th
55407
55455
3
Lake
36Th
Un
iv
55415
55404
Cedar
Calhoun
55402
55416
55408
38Th
V
U
ty
Calhoun
Lake
r si
46Th
nn
He
55416
§
¨
¦
5545455455
55404
i ve
Nicollet
55403
55405
Un
55455
Como
55414
Penn
55415
26Th
Penn
§
394
¨
¦ §
¨
¦
n
35W
Glenwood
55414
4
epi
5540155401
Glenwood
55402
nn
He
Como
55401 55401
§
¨
¦
55413Broadway
55411
35W
26Th
55411
11Th
101
Industrial
101
Fremont
Fremont
V
U
15 - 17
The overall asthma rate
for adults is
14 per 10,000 people
18 - 43
No Rate Calculated (<5 per Zipcode)
Cancer in Minnesota
Cancer
Cancer is:
• A group of more than 100 different diseases.
• The uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.
• Different types of cancer have differing rates of occurrence, causes, and chances for survival.
The development of cancer is a multi-step process, starting with genetic changes in cells, followed by uncontrolled
cell division and tumor growth over time. The time from genetic change to the development of cancer, known as
the “latency period,” is usually decades long, often 30 years or longer. This means that many cancers diagnosed
today may be due to events that caused genetic changes in cells a long time ago.
Cancer can develop in individuals of all ages, but is most commonly found in people who are older than 40 years.
Nearly one half of all Minnesotans will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Because people are living
longer, the chance of developing cancer is increasing. For more information about Cancer and the Environment,
visit the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/cancerenvt.pdf.
Cancer and Health
Cancers do not have a single cause and are not a single disease. There are a variety of known causes or “risk
factors”. Risk factors have been shown to affect or increase an individual’s risk, or chance of developing cancer.
They can include such things as age, race, gender, other genetic factors, exposure to tobacco, diet, physical
inactivity, some viruses, radiation, medications, reproductive history and chemical exposures.
Genetics play a role in most cancers. This means that a family history can be a risk factor for some types of
cancers such as melanoma, prostate, breast and colon cancer. It is not unusual for several cases to occur within a
family.
Things we do in our daily lives can increase our chance of developing cancer. These factors, sometimes called
“lifestyle factors,” include: cigarette smoking; heavy drinking; and having a diet that has excess calories, is high in
fat, and contains few vegetables and fruits. Other lifestyle factors that increase risk have to do with reproductive
patterns, sexual behavior, physical inactivity and excessive unprotected exposure to sunlight.
Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. today. In addition to being responsible for 80 to
90 percent of lung cancers, cigarette smoking is also associated with leukemia and cancers of the mouth, pharynx,
larynx, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder, cervix, and endometrium (lining of the uterus). The risk of
dying from lung cancer is 10 to 20 times higher for smokers compared to non-smokers.
County level information about cancer and cancer incidence is available at the Minnesota Public Health Data
Access webpage located https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/home . This portal has information about the
incidence of cancer in Minnesota residents by year and the incidence of some cancers in Minnesota residents by
age group, race/ethnicity, gender, or region of the state.
3
Cancer in Minnesota
The incidence of cancer (new cases) is monitored by the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System (MCSS). Created
by the Minnesota Legislature in 1987, this statewide system collects information on all new cancers diagnosed in
Minnesotans. For more information about the MCSS, visit the MDH website at
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/cdee/mcss/.
Minnesota’s cancer rates are similar to the national rates for most types of cancer. However, our lung cancer rates
are lower compared to the U.S. population. This may be due to the fact that smoking prevalence in Minnesota was
lower years ago. Today our smoking rate is similar to the national average and the gap between the national lung
cancer rate and Minnesota’s rate is closing.
In men, cancer incidence has declined in Minnesota since peaking in 1992, largely due to decreases in colorectal,
stomach, prostate and lung cancer. In women, overall cancer incidence rates increased slightly, largely due to
increases in melanoma, kidney, thyroid and lung cancer, which outweighed decreases in colorectal, stomach,
ovarian and cervical cancer. Breast cancer incidence is similar to what it was two decades ago, but deaths attributed to
breast cancer have decreased due to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment.
Odds of Cancer in Minnesota Males
Diagnosis
Death
Prostate
Lung
1 in 5
1 in 14
1 in 30
1 in 15
Colo-rectal
1 in 18
1 in 45
Bladder
1 in 22
1 in 111
Any Cancer
1 in 2
1 in 4
Odds of Cancer in Minnesota Females
Diagnosis
Breast
Colo-rectal
Lung
Uterine
Any Cancer
2 in 15
1 in 19
1 in 16
1 in 32
8.5 in 20
Death
1 in 34
1 in 50
1 in 19
1 in 167
1 in 5
Racial differences in cancer incidence have been observed In Minnesota, as in other parts of the country.
American Indian men have the highest cancer rates in Minnesota followed by African Americans. Among American
Indians, smoking- related cancers of the lung, larynx, and oral cavity, as well as prostate, colorectal and cervical
cancers are unusually common.
In children, there are several pediatric cancers that occur early in life. Nearly 1 in 450 children will be diagnosed
with cancer before the age of 15. Although some childhood cancers are associated with specific genetic and
prenatal factors, in most cases the causes remain largely unknown.
It is believed that the organ systems of children are especially vulnerable to injury when undergoing periods of
rapid growth and development. Factors that have been studied which play a role in childhood cancers include
genetics, infectious diseases, prenatal conditions, environmental pollutants, and radiation. However, few studies
have been able to show a consistent association between childhood cancer and these factors.
The types of cancer most often seen in children are different from those seen in adults. The three most common
types of cancer in children are leukemias, tumors of the brain and nervous system, and lymph node cancers.
4
Lead Poisoning in Children
Lead
Children can come into contact with lead in soil, dust accidently brought home from adult workplaces, hobbies in
the home, imported candies, traditional or ethnic sickness remedies, pottery, or toys. However, the most
common source of lead is from old paint in homes. Lead paint is commonly found in homes built before 1978, the
year lead in paint was banned. Houses built before 1950 are most likely to have lead paint. While cracked, peeling
paint is an obvious concern, the primary exposure source for children is the dust created by opening and shutting
windows/doors that have frames painted with lead paint. For more information about the MDH Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program, visit the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/lead/.
Lead and Health
Children tend to put their hands in their mouths. As they play, children may accidently swallow dust, chips of
paint, or soil containing lead dust from paint or other sources. Lead exposure can lead to learning disabilities,
problems in behavior, and at very high levels, seizures, coma, and death. However, the effects of low level lead
exposure in infants and toddlers are subtle (the child does not look or feel sick), and exposures may not ever be
detected, or may not be detected until the child enters school. This means it is very important to take action to
prevent contact with lead dust in and around the home.
The best way to check for possible lead exposure is for health care providers to test a child or pregnant woman’s
blood for lead. Recent research has shown there is no known safe exposure level for lead. Both CDC and MDH
recommend action to identify and eliminate exposure if a child’s blood lead is higher than 5 micrograms per
deciliter (ug/dL). Local public health agencies will work with families to find sources of lead and to prevent further
exposure. If the result is higher than 15 ug/dL for a child less than six years old, Minnesota law requires an
inspection of the home where the child lives and mandates removal of sources of lead
Counting Lead Poisoning in Children
Minnesota has a Blood Lead Information System (BLIS). By law, when a laboratory analyzes a sample of blood for
lead, the result is given to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Children and pregnant women with
elevated blood lead results are referred to local public health staff that helps the families take action to lower
their blood lead levels. The information from BLIS can also be used to find geographic areas where children are
more likely to be exposed to lead in soil and dust around their homes. Trends in blood lead levels can also be
tracked through the years to see if lead poisoning prevention efforts are working. Across the United States and in
Minnesota, the number of children with elevated blood lead results is decreasing.
What the Information Shows
In 2011, about four children out of 100 tested in Minnesota had blood lead results greater than 5ug/dL. Seven out
of 100 children tested in Ramsey County had elevated blood lead results. In 2006-2008 in the City of Minneapolis,
about four out of 100 children had elevated blood lead results.
5
Child Blood Lead Test Results by
Census Block, 2010-2011
94
¨
§
¦
49Th
V
U
65
§
¦
¨
94
Saint Anthony
38Th
101
V
U
51
29Th
Lyndale
V
U
¨
§
¦
35W
V
U
Broadway
h
8T
Plymouth
3R
d
nn
He
Industrial
Fremont
36
n
epi
Como
V
U
280
Glenwood
Penn
Washington
Un
iv
¨
§
¦
pin
394
¨
§
¦
94
26Th
Nicollet
ne
He
n
er s
i ty
46Th
28Th
50Th
54Th
V
U
55
Penn
100
34Th
Lyndale
Que
a
Xerxes
hah
46Th
54Th
V
U
38Th
ne
Min
en
38Th
35Th
36Th
Cedar
Calhoun
Lake
¨
§
¦
35W
V
U
62
V
U
77
Central Zip Code Area
Blocks with at least 1 child tested with a result of under 5ug/dL blood lead result
Mixed use Industrial
Blocks with at least 1 child tested with a result of between 10-15ug/dL blood lead result
Parks and Recreation
Mixed use Retail
Blocks with at least 1 child tested with a result of between 5-10ug/dL blood lead result
Blocks with at least 1 child tested with a result of over 15ug/dL blood lead result
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Lead Program
Note: Test results include children ages 0-6 years old
Air Pollution
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) monitors the amount of air pollution across the state. The federal Clean Air
Act and Amendments require all states to monitor air quality. The good news is that since 2002, air quality throughout
Minnesota has met all national outdoor air quality standards. Changes in fuel, cleaner operating cars, and reduced emissions
from industry have all helped reduce pollution.
Air Pollution and Health
Breathing in air containing pollutants like carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides and fine particles from cars and trucks
(and other sources), can make existing breathing problems such as asthma worse. Breathing in polluted air is also linked to an
increased risk of death from heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Children, the elderly, and those with heart or breathing
problems are the most sensitive to air pollution. Polluted air has also been linked to low birth weight in babies. These findings
have led to stricter air quality standards. Even though the standards have been met, tightening standards have meant that
more days are falling into the classification of poor air quality. MPCA issues alerts when the air quality index (AQI) reaches a
level where sensitive groups (mainly children and those with heart or breathing problems) should take extra care to protect
their health. Since the AQI is the main way that the MPCA informs people about air quality, the increase in alert days has led
many Minnesotans to believe that air quality is getting worse, when in fact it has steadily gotten better, especially when
compared to the 1960s and1970s.
What the Information Shows
To look at air pollution levels in the City of Minneapolis, MDH uses data collected by the MPCA from air monitors placed in
Minneapolis that measure two air pollutants commonly associated with motor vehicles and industrial sources: carbon
monoxide and fine particles [defined as Particulate Matter <10 microns in diameter (PM10) and Particulate Matter less than
2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5)].
The first map shows the placement of the monitors where carbon monoxide (CO), PM10, and PM2.5 are measured and the
hourly (CO) and weekly (PM10 and PM2.5) averages in 2001-2011. The national outdoor air quality standards are also shown
for comparison. Like all of the Twin Cities, levels of these air pollutants in the City of Minneapolis are below the federal
standards.
Motor vehicles give off more than half of all carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions in Minnesota. MDH used traffic
volume data from 2011 to map the average annual daily traffic count for major roads in the City of Minneapolis. Areas near
the busiest roads (such as I-94) will likely have higher levels of traffic-related air pollution.
Limitations
MPCA’s outdoor air monitoring network is designed to monitor overall trends in air quality in the Twin Cities. It is also used to
see if air pollution levels meet federal air quality standards under the Clean Air Act. The results from each location where
pollution is measured may not be exactly true for other nearby areas. This way of measuring will not show if there is a sudden
increase in air pollution for a short period of time. It still is the best way we have to measure air pollution in Minnesota.
For more information about Air Quality, see the Minnesota Public Health Data Access website at
https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/ . The Minnesota Pollution Control has information on General Air Quality at
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/air/air-quality-and-pollutants/general-air-quality/index.html .
7
Minneapolis Air Quality Monitors
U
V
100
007
49Th
/
"
907
94
¨
§
¦
35W
§
¨
¦
Saint Anthony
38Th
Lyndale
Fremont
101
956
U
V
36
/
"
050
Golden Valley
8Th
Plymouth
Broadway
965
Como
4T
h
Glenwood
V
U
36
Hennepin
053
U
V
V
U
280
280
4T
h
""
/
/
Un
iv
966
Penn
394
¨
§
¦
Industrial
U
V
35W
29Th
954
94
§
¨
¦
26Th
963
Nicollet
He
nn
ep
in
§
¨
¦
er s
i ty
46Th
38Th
n
Min
Sheri dan
38Th
35Th
36Th
Cedar
Calhoun
Lake
eh
35W
34Th
¨
§
¦
50Th
54Th
54Th
U
V
V
U
55
28Th
Penn
100
a
Xerxes
ah
V
U
46Th
968
55
U
V
62
Central Zip Code Area
Parks and Recreation
/
"
Particulate Matter 10
#
0
$
1
Particulate Matter 2.5
Carbon Monoxide
Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Average Annual Daily Traffic Count, 2011
U
V
100
49Th
V
U
65
94
¨
§
¦
Saint Anthony
35W
§
¦
¨
¨
§
¦
38Th
Lyndale
U
V
V
U
153
Fremont
101
35W
29Th
81
U
V
36
Broadway
Golden Valley
8T
Plymouth
h
Hennepin
Como
4T
h
VGlenwood
U
55
V
U
36
Industrial
V
U
U
V
280
V
U
280
Penn
Un
iv e
rs i
ty
394
pi n
¦
¨
§
94
26Th
Nicollet
He
n
ne
¦
¨
§
46Th
38Th
35
46Th
Penn
54Th
Dia m o
nd Lak
e
35W
¨
§
¦
34Th
50Th
28Th
Xerxes
a
100
ah
V
U
h
ne
Sherid an
M in
38Th
35Th
36Th
Cedar
Ca lhoun
Lake
U
V
62
54Th
U
V
55
V
U
55
Central Zip Code Area Daily Traffic Volume
Parks and Recreation
106,301 - 197,600 vehicles
48,451 - 106,300 vehicles
12,651 - 48,450 vehicles
5 - 12,650 vehicles
Source: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Particulate Matter
What is particulate matter?
Particulate matter is a mixture of small particles and liquid droplets. The particulate matter is released when coal,
gasoline, diesel fuels, wood and other fuels are burned. Particulate matter also is created by chemical reactions
between other pollutants in the air.
Additionally, particulate matter is released by tobacco smoke and home heating sources, such as wood burning
stoves and fireplaces. Depending on these activities and home environment characteristics (e.g. air ventilation),
particulate matter indoor exposures may be higher than outdoors.
Particulate matter comes in different sizes and can be small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs and even
reach the bloodstream. The particles of concern are 10 microns in diameter (PM10) or 2.5 microns in diameter
(PM2.5). By comparison, human hair has a diameter of 70 microns. The particles can accumulate in the respiratory
system and cause serious health effects. Scientific studies, for example, have linked particle pollution to
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory
illnesses.
Minneapolis Air Monitor Particulate Matter10 ug/m3
2001-2011
155
150
145
140
90
Monitor
site number
Particulate Matter ug/m3
85
80
Site 53
75
Site 907
70
Site 966
65
60
DV Daily
Standard
55
50
45
40
35
30
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Year
DV = Design Value; a design value is a statistic that is used to determine compliance to the national Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS)
10
Particulate Matter
Minneapolis Air Monitor
Daily Particulate Matter2.5 ug/m3
2001-2010
Monitor
site number
36
34
50
32
907
30
961 (Richfield)
28
963
26
965
24
968
22
Daily DV Standard
20
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Minneapolis Air Monitor
Annual Particulate Matter2.5ug/m3
2001-2010
16
Monitor
site number
15
50
14
907
13
961 (Richfield)
12
963
11
965
10
968
9
Annual DV Standard
8
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
DV = Design Value; a design value is a statistic that is used to determine compliance to the national Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS)
11
Carbon Monoxide
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is formed when carbon fuels do not burn
completely. The effects of carbon monoxide exposure are due to the ability of the gas to interfere with the ability
of hemoglobin in the blood to transport oxygen. Breathing in carbon monoxide can result in a decrease in the
amount of oxygen reaching the brain, the heart and other tissues in the body. In addition, because carbon
monoxide cannot be quickly eliminated once it is in the blood, a mother’s exposure can result in exposure of an
unborn child.
Dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide exposure typically occur indoors; when a motor vehicle is operated
inside a garage, when a residential heating system is not working properly, or when a gas cooking stove is used to
heat a home. When high levels of carbon monoxide are present, the brain becomes oxygen starved and death
may occur.
Outdoor concentrations of carbon monoxide may approach these dangerous levels when a large number of cars
(or boats) idle in one place for an extended period of time and there is no wind or movement to disperse the
exhaust. More typically, carbon monoxide levels outdoors do not approach levels that have been shown to
impact healthy people. However in areas with high motor vehicle traffic, carbon monoxide exposure may be a
concern for people with respiratory or cardiac health issues.
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards for carbon monoxide are intended to decrease the likelihood that
people may be exposed levels that could impact their health.
Minneapolis Air Monitor COppm # 954, 2001 - 2011
36
35
34
33
10
9
8
1hr DV Standard
7
6
1hr Monitored
(DV)
5
8hr DV Standard
4
3
8hr Monitored
(DV)
2
1
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
DV = Design Value; a design value is a statistic that is used to determine compliance to the national Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS)
12