Why is there an air quality alert in Michigan? Snowmelt. See current readings

Southeast Michigan stays beneath an air high quality warning as a result of elevated ranges of particulate matter from snowmelt. The warning expires on Monday, February 16 at 12 midday.

Residents of St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe counties are beneath a air quality alarm. Climate officers are urging individuals to restrict their out of doors actions as a lot as potential, particularly these with present well being circumstances, to keep away from respiratory polluted air.

Fast snowmelt triggered the air high quality alert amid Decrease Michigan’s current 50-degree climate. Because the snow melts, trapped nice particles, reminiscent of smoke, mud, soot or dust, turn into airborne.

As of Feb. 16 at 8 a.m., acceptable air could be seen for many of the Decrease Peninsula and japanese Higher Peninsula, though the decrease central-southeast area is reporting unhealthy air for delicate teams – most people is unlikely to be affected at this degree, in accordance with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s Air Quality Index Dashboard.

As for the air high quality index, nice particulate matter concentrations vary from 101 to 150 for many of central-southeast Michigan. Cities within the southeastern nook of the state are seeing the worst air.

Detroit and Tecumseh are seeing the best readings of 152-153 PM2.5, that means the air is unhealthy for everybody, in accordance with EGLE’s dashboard.

“The warming development will proceed with mild winds, so air high quality shall be average to unhealthy for delicate teams,” EGLE mentioned in its prolonged forecast.

“Monitor for signs reminiscent of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning within the nostril, throat, and eyes,” the Nationwide Climate Service mentioned within the alert. “Cut back or eradicate actions that contribute to air air pollution, reminiscent of: out of doors heating, use of wooden burning home equipment in properties.”

Right here you will see that extra details about the air high quality index.

The place is air high quality unhealthy in Michigan?

As of Feb. 16 at 9 a.m., listed here are the PM2.5 ranges for Michigan cities, in accordance with EGLEs Air Quality Index Dashboard And AccuWeather:

• Detroit: 153 (unhealthy for everybody)
• Tecumseh: 152 (unhealthy for everybody)
• Dearborn: 132 (unhealthy for delicate teams)
• Kalamazoo: 122 (unhealthy for delicate teams)
• Grand Rapids: 115 (unhealthy for delicate teams)
• Bay city: 107 (unhealthy for delicate teams)
• Lansing: 105 (unhealthy for delicate teams)
• Ann Arbor: 92 (average)
• Cross metropolis: 73 (average)
• Benton harbour: 70 (average)
• Gaylord: 70 (average)
• Houghton Lake: 67 (average)
• Alpena: 64 (average)
• Saul Ste. Marie: 55 (average)
• Marquette: 44 (good)
• Ironwood: 34 (good)

Air high quality index: who belongs to a ‘delicate group’?

‘Delicate teams’ determine individuals who could also be at larger danger of respiratory polluted air than others.

In line with the EPA, individuals with respiratory issues (reminiscent of bronchial asthma), coronary heart or lung illness, diabetes, seniors or youngsters, or of decrease socioeconomic standing are all thought of sensitive group.

As well as, outdoor workers and pregnant people are among the many Michigan Well being and Human Providers Division’s delicate teams.

What does PM2.5 imply on the air high quality index?

On the AQI, particulate matter measurements, labeled ‘PM2.5’, vary from 0-301 or larger, and measures the particulate matter in the airreminiscent of smoke, mud, soot or dust.

The quantity “2.5” signifies that particles are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, in accordance with the EPA — that is 30 instances smaller than the common human hair, which is about 70 micrometers in diameter.

How can I test the air high quality in my space?

Michigan residents can test present circumstances via EGLEs MiAir Quality Index Dashboard. The interactive map supplies AQI scores for cities throughout the state.

Residents also can use it AirNowa part of the US Air High quality Index, and test native circumstances by looking by zip code or metropolis. AccuWeather also has an AQI characteristic that lists the present pollution within the air.

As well as, the Michigan Division of HHS has a Facebook And X account. Residents can subscribe to alerts via the division EnviroFlash system.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com