Minnesota Ice Arenas Test Air Quality Twice Weekly

GOLDEN VALLEY (AP) - Minnesota ice arena managers are reminding others of the importance of monitoring air quality following two scary incidents of suspected carbon monoxide poisonings in Midwest ice arenas.

Those recent incidents have prompted many to pause and consider the dangers of operating ice-smoothing machines indoors. Dozens of hockey players and fans in North Dakota and Wisconsin became ill after spending time in two separate ice arenas over the weekend. More than 81 people were hospitalized in the second incident the Wisconsin Dells.

Minnesota is one of just three states that consistently monitor carbon monoxide levels in ice arenas.

The president of the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association says the state's arenas are required to test twice each week during the busiest times.