Air Now map dated June 8, 2023.
Apart from the wildfire smoke, Michigan also encountered its inaugural Action Day advisory in April due to ozone.
EGLE’s three meteorologists were occupied answering media inquiries, including their initial live television interview, during the peak viewing hours.
Over 100,000 individuals viewed the content related to the Air Quality Action Day on EGLE’s social media platforms, a number that surpasses EGLE’s typical post reach by 33 times. Additionally, more than 3,600 individuals interacted with EGLE’s posts, actively participating through sharing, commenting, reacting, and clicking on the content.
Six immediate social media inquiries were addressed. EGLE shared and responded to inquiries on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Cheri Collard, the social media strategist for EGLE, expressed, “We are able to aid in the protection of the environment and public health by disseminating accurate information, dispelling false rumors, and promptly addressing genuine inquiries.”
The implementation of the Climate Healthy MI plan needs to be rapidly underscored, emphasizing the long-term and near-term necessity and importance of climate action, as events like these will become more severe and frequent. The smoke carried by the winds can travel hundreds of miles away, but locally, it not only causes severe air quality concerns but also harms fire control efforts, as windy conditions can help spread fires more easily. Changes in climate can cause more severe and longer periods of dryness, leading to a lack of rainfall and increased evaporation, which in turn can cause vegetation to ignite more easily and fires to spread faster. These extreme heat conditions can occur while the air appears to be clear at the moment.
A variety of air quality resources from EGLE and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are accessible to the public. Michiganders sought out these resources for additional details when smoke impacted the air quality in Michigan.
How to register for notifications:
The EnviroFlash system will send you a text message or email, informing you about the selected region. You have the option to subscribe to alerts through the EnviroFlash system.
The AQI (Air Quality Index):.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded way for residents to see what levels of air pollution are and what types of air pollution there are. The worse the quality of air, the more concern there is for the cause.
Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in numerous regions of Michigan and the eastern United States is elevated due to the presence of particulate matter, ground-level ozone, and other significant pollutants. This increase in air pollution can be attributed to smoke and fires occurring not only within the United States but also in certain areas of Canada.
Safeguarding your well-being amidst smoke occurrences.
When there is smoke in the air, take steps to keep your indoor air clean and cool by following these tips. Choose lower-intensity activities or limit your outdoor exercise when it is smoky to reduce your exposure to smoke. However, people over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, lung disease, or asthma are more vulnerable to the health effects of smoke exposure. People with these conditions are at a greater risk of experiencing severe health effects from smoke exposure. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that healthy adults are less likely to experience long-lasting health effects from smoke exposure compared to individuals with chronic diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, or lung disease.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has provided the following recommendations:
To minimize the risk, it is recommended that older individuals, youngsters, and adolescents, as well as individuals with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, adhere to the subsequent measures:
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Stay updated on the latest health and safety information by following MDHHS on social media.