GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued a statewide Action Day on Friday for elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) in Michigan. The state expects the Air Quality Index to range from the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy level, with some hourly concentrations in the Very Unhealthy range.
There also is an Action Day advisory for ozone for the following West Michigan counties: Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Muskegon, Van Buren.
"We're encouraging people who are sensitive - such as children, the elderly, those with lung disease, and those who are active outdoors - to limit prolonged or heavy exertion," Andrea Faber told WOOD Radio. She is a transportation planner for the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council. "We're also asking that the public reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, the use of residential wood-burning devices, and even idling, as well."
EGLE expects the Air Quality Index to range from the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy level, with some hourly concentrations in the Very Unhealthy range.
Unlike the Clean Air Action Days this week, Friday's alert is not just for fine particulates from the wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada. Faber says ground-level ozone also will be contributing to the smog.
"And that's the first time I've seen that in my career, which goes back almost 16 years," Faber said.
EGLE provided more information in a news release:
The Action Day Advisory for PM-2.5 on June 30th is a Statewide Alert.
The Action Day Advisory for Ozone on June 30th is for the following West and Southeast Michigan counties:
Southeast Michigan:
St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, Monroe, Lenawee,
West Michigan:
Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Allegan, Van Buren, Berrien, Cass
Smoke originating from wildfires in Quebec, Canada is currently impacting PM2.5 and Ozone concentrations at the surface across much of the state of Michigan and will continue through Friday June 30th. The air quality index is expected to range from the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy level, with some hourly concentrations in the Very Unhealthy range.
Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.
Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible and reduce refueling your vehicle.
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 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Air Quality Index page on the internet at: http://www.deqmiair.org/
### [Graph: from Michigan Dept. of EGLE]