As Michigan experiences its first real exposure to wildfire smoke this summer, weather forecasters are talking about the air quality index, sensitive groups and other terms that may not be familiar to most Michiganders.
Michigan is expected to be under a cloak of Canadian and Minnesota wildfire smoke throughout Wednesday, July 15, prompting a statewide air quality alert for the hazy, polluted air, and the air quality index is one of the best ways to tell if you should avoid going outdoors, as long as you understand the terminology.
“Wildfire smoke is expected to move into northern Michigan Wednesday morning (July 15) and may reach portions of southern Michigan later in the day. Pollutant concentrations may reach ranges considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and potentially Unhealthy for all,” the Grand Rapids National Weather Service said on X on July 15.
The smoke plumes coming from wildfires in Ontario, and northern Minnesota, are expected to generally move south through the state, according to the National Weather Service.
The smoke is expected to linger into Thursday, July 16.
Michigan residents — especially those with pre-existing health issues, children and seniors — are urged to take safety precautions such as reducing outdoor time, keeping windows closed and staying updated by reading the air quality index.
“The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted the air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern, especially for ground-level ozone and particle pollution,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. “Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern.”
While officials monitor the smoke entering Michigan, here’s how to read the Air Quality Index:
How do I read the air quality index?
The AQI features six color-coded categories: green, yellow, orange, red, purple and maroon as a way to easily determine the level of concern.
Each category also has corresponding values which represents the level of pollution, with 301-plus being the worst.
Here’s a breakdown:
Sensitive groups: Who is most vulnerable to the pollution?
“Sensitive groups” identifies people who may be more at risk than others because of breathing polluted air.
According to the EPA, people who have respiratory problems (like asthma), heart or lung disease, diabetes, are a senior or child, or of a lower socioeconomic status are all considered within a sensitive group.
In addition, outdoor workers and pregnant people are within the sensitive groups, based on Michigan’s Health and Human Services Department.
What pollutants does the AQI include?
The AQI takes into account five air pollutants:
What does ‘fine particulate’ or ‘PM2.5’ mean?
On the AQI, particulate matter readings, labeled “PM2.5,” range from 0-301 or higher, and measure the fine particulate matter in the air, such as, smoke, dust, soot or dirt.
The “2.5” figure means particles are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, according to the EPA — that is 30 times smaller than the average human hair, which is about 70 micrometers in diameter.
Air Quality Index: how can I check the air quality in my area?
Michigan residents can check current conditions through EGLE’s MiAir Quality Index Dashboard. The interactive map provides AQI scores for cities across the state.
Residents can also use AirNow, a part of the U.S. Air Quality Index, and check local conditions by searching their ZIP Code or city. AccuWeather also has an AQI feature that lists the current pollutants in the air.
In addition, Michigan’s HHS Department has a Facebook and X account. The department allows for residents to subscribe for alerts through the EnviroFlash system.
Michigan’s current air quality
The map below displays the current air quality at monitoring sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Air monitoring sites are color-coded based on the pollutant (ozone or particulate matter) with the highest value. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers and 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called PM10 and PM2.5, respectively.
An AQI of 50 or below 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 other than good. The information is updated hourly.
See current weather alerts across Michigan
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What’s the air quality index? How to know when the air is really bad
Reporting by Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
