The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has
declared an Air Quality Alert for Friday July 4th for elevated
levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) due to residual wildfire smoke
and firework displays. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are expected to
be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI Orange) Range.
The advisory is in effect for the following Michigan counties…
St. Clair…Livingston…Oakland…Macomb…Washtenaw…Wayne and
Monroe.
It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory
diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat,
and eyes. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air
pollution, such as: outdoor burning, use of residential wood
burning devices.
Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent
smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air
conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.
For further information, please see EPAs Air Now site for
up-to-date air quality data: https://www.airnow.gov/
For further health information, please see MDHHS Wildfire Smoke
and Your Health site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/
your-health-and-wildfire-smoke
