Detroit officials are reminding residents to stay indoors as much as possible and to mask up if they must go outside while the air quality in the city is unhealthy because of Canadian wildfire smoke.
Mayor Mary Sheffield, the city’s top public health official and various other department heads provided an update Friday, July 17, on how the city is responding to the risky air conditions, as skies remain hazy and a smoky odor lingers.
N-95 masks will be available at the city’s 13 recreation centers — which remain open as respite spots — and the city’s outdoor events have been canceled through at least Saturday, July 18. Nonessential city workers have been instructed to work from home. A statewide Air Quality Alert also remains in place until July 18.
“Air quality is hazardous for everyone, not just sensitive populations and so we want to encourage residents to stay in their home, if possible,” Sheffield said at a news conference July 17. “If you do have to go outside, please wear a mask, but try to limit activity outside in general.”
Detroit’s Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed called the air pollution levels “unprecedented.”
As of the afternoon of July 17, the Air Quality Index — a measure of pollution and associated health risks — was just below 300, or “very unhealthy,” though in the morning it was at a hazardous level. What that means is that fine particulate matter, such as small particles from wildfire smoke, can settle in the lower lungs, causing wheezing and coughing, Abazeed said.
“We’re looking at better forecasts, hopefully starting tomorrow (July 18),” Abazeed said.
The city already has seen an uptick in respiratory complaints, according to EMS responses and hospital reports, said Dr. Robert Dunne, public safety medical director. EMS responded to roughly 350 patients — which is typical, officials said — but 80 of those were for respiratory complaints, according to preliminary data from July 16. Normally, such complaints would be around 40 to 50, Dunne said.
“Keeping a close eye on the Air Quality Alerts is essential for patients who have chronic diseases,” Dunne said. “They should be checking in with their primary care physicians, being sure that they have all the medications that they need and not hesitate to reach out if they need emergency care.”
Here’s what else to know:
What is open, closed?
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center downtown is closed for business to the public Friday, July 17. On-site city services are slated to restart Monday, July 20.
However, other departments — including police; fire; EMS; Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT); health; Human, Homeless and Family Services; parks and recreation; animal control; IT services; trash collection; Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) services; Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) inspections; and airport operations — are continuing as normal.
City staffers and neighborhood police officers will do wellness checks at senior buildings, as well, officials said.
Services also still are available online at detroitmi.gov.
Friday’s Occupy the Summer programming has been canceled. However, Late Night Basketball on Saturday and Sunday’s Hoopfest events still were scheduled to take place as of July 17.
How to stay safe?
Seniors, pregnant women, babies, young people and those with asthma or other lung or heart conditions are at greater risk, though the air quality now can be harmful to anyone.
Here is what the health department recommends:
Sign up for emergency alerts at bit.ly/DetroitAlerts365.
Where to find masks?
Masks can be found at all city recreation centers, and along the DDOT system.
Where to go to get away from the smoke?
The following rec centers will remain open during regular business hours, according to the city:
Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepressepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where to get masks in Detroit as air quality remains unhealthy
Reporting by Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
