Map shows dangerous conditions in parts of Michigan
High air quality on alert: The dangers of red flag warnings explained
Air quality is influenced by many factors. Here’s what you should know about warning signs.
Air quality in Detroit was unhealthy on Friday, and some areas of southeast Michigan had very unhealthy or hazardous conditions, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and adolescents in these areas should avoid outdoor physical activity. Everyone else should avoid strenuous outdoor activity and keep their outdoor activity to a minimum.
Although Michigan’s ozone season typically falls between the warmer months of March and October, particulate pollution from sources such as power plants, vehicle exhaust and industry can reach health-harming levels year-round. Some of these pollutants are so small (PM2.5) that they can be inhaled into the lungs and can even enter the bloodstream, causing serious health consequences. Other sources of particulate pollution include dirt roads, construction sites and wildfire smoke, such as the spate of days of unhealthy air Michiganders experienced in the summer of 2023 when Canadian wildfires darkened Detroit’s skyline.
Current air quality in Michigan
The map below shows current air quality at monitoring sites in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Air monitoring sites are color-coded according to the pollutant (ozone or particulate matter) with the highest value. Particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns or 2.5 microns are referred to as PM10 or PM2.5, respectively.
An AQI of 50 or less means the current air quality is good. The shaded areas of the map show the approximate boundaries where air quality is available and listed as anything but good. The information is updated hourly.
Guidelines for the Air Quality Index (ozone and particle pollution)
Some people are more sensitive to air pollution because of their age or health condition. People who exercise a lot or work outdoors are also at higher risk when air quality is poor. Health problems associated with poor air quality can include difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, as well as more serious health effects such as lung damage, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes.
How to interpret the air quality index values according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- Good (0-50): The level of air pollution poses little to no risk.
- Moderate (51-100): There may be a moderate health risk to people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- Unhealthy for sensitive groups (101-150): People who are more sensitive to air pollution may experience health problems. The general population is not expected to be affected.
- Unhealthy (151-200): Some people may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- Very unhealthy (201-300): A warning is triggered. There is a risk of more serious health consequences for the population.
- Dangerous (301-500): Emergency Health Alert: Everyone is likely to be affected.
For more information on air quality, visit AirNow.gov.
Kristi Tanner is a data reporter. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @Subscribe to.
Free Press reporter Kylie Martin contributed to this report.
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