Metro Detroit under air quality advisory Saturday due to firework, wildfire smoke – Detroit Free Press

2025 Air Quality Report: Metro Detroit Under Advisory

Overview of Air Quality Advisory

On Saturday, July 5, Metro Detroit remained under an air quality advisory issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The advisory covers Southeast Michigan, including Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, as well as several counties near Grand Rapids.

As of 7 a.m. on the same day, air quality in parts of Metro Detroit was classified as unhealthy, indicated by red on the AirNow map. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations were attributed to residual wildfire smoke and fireworks displays, according to the National Weather Service.

Health Recommendations and Pollution Sources

1. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially for individuals with heart disease or respiratory conditions such as asthma.
2. Monitor symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or irritation in the nose, throat, or eyes.
3. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as:
   • Outdoor burning
   • Use of residential wood-burning devices
   • Refueling vehicles or topping off fuel
   • Operating gasoline-powered lawn equipment
   • Using charcoal lighter fluid
4. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke infiltration and run central air conditioners with MERV-13 or higher filters if possible.

Context and Environmental Impact

Michigan’s ozone season generally spans from March to October. However, particle pollution from power plants, vehicle emissions, and industrial sources can reach unhealthy levels throughout the year. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, poses serious health risks.

Additional sources of particle pollution include unpaved roads, construction sites, and wildfire smoke, as experienced during the summer of 2023 when Canadian wildfires significantly impacted Detroit’s air quality.

Michigan’s Current Air Quality Status

The current air quality is monitored across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with data color-coded based on the highest pollutant levels (ozone or particulate matter). PM10 and PM2.5 refer to particles less than 10 and 2.5 micrometers in diameter, respectively.

An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50 or below indicates good air quality, while higher values indicate increasing health risks. The data is updated hourly to inform the public and guide health precautions.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Guidelines and Health Implications

Air pollution sensitivity varies by age, health status, and outdoor activity levels. Poor air quality can cause respiratory issues, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and lung damage.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines AQI categories as follows:

• Good (0-50): Little to no risk from air pollution.
• Moderate (51-100): Possible health concerns for unusually sensitive individuals.
• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Health effects possible for sensitive individuals; general public unlikely affected.
• Unhealthy (151-200): Health effects possible for some; sensitive groups may experience serious effects.
• Very Unhealthy (201-300): Health alert; general population at risk for serious effects.
• Hazardous (301-500): Emergency conditions; everyone likely affected.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This air quality report highlights critical intersections with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Protecting populations from air pollution-related health risks by issuing advisories and promoting preventive actions.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Encouraging reduction of pollution sources such as vehicle emissions and residential burning to improve urban air quality.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Addressing wildfire smoke impacts and promoting strategies to mitigate pollution linked to climate change.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Highlighting the need to transition from polluting energy sources to cleaner alternatives to reduce particulate matter emissions.

Efforts to monitor, report, and mitigate air pollution directly contribute to achieving these SDGs by safeguarding human health and promoting environmental sustainability.

Additional Resources

For ongoing updates and detailed information on air quality, visit AirNow.gov.

Report compiled by Kristi Tanner, data reporter. Contact: ktanner@freepress.com. Follow on Twitter: @midatalove.

Additional contributions by Free Press reporter Kylie Martin.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses health impacts of air pollution such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, stroke, and lung damage.
   • Recommendations to protect vulnerable groups like people with heart and respiratory diseases are highlighted.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The focus on air quality advisories in urban and metropolitan areas like Metro Detroit relates to making cities safer and healthier.
   • Measures to reduce pollution from vehicles and residential burning are mentioned.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article references wildfire smoke and its contribution to poor air quality, linking to climate-related events.
   • Efforts to monitor and mitigate pollution sources are part of climate resilience and adaptation.
4. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Reducing pollution from power plants and vehicle emissions implies a connection to cleaner energy sources and energy efficiency.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality improvement.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
4. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Air Quality Index (AQI)
   • The article explains AQI values ranging from Good (0-50) to Hazardous (301-500), used to measure air pollution levels.
   • AQI is an indicator to monitor progress in reducing air pollution and protecting health.
2. PM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations
   • Particulate matter sizes PM2.5 and PM10 are monitored to assess air quality.
   • These indicators reflect the presence of harmful particles that affect respiratory and cardiovascular health.
3. Ozone Levels
   • Ozone pollution levels are tracked, especially during warmer months, as an indicator of air quality.
4. Health Outcome Indicators (Implied)
   • Incidences of asthma attacks, heart attacks, and stroke related to air pollution exposure can be used as health indicators.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: freep.com