Air Quality Index Warnings | City of Detroit

Air Quality Index Outdoor Activities Warnings and Recommendations

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued the following information related to Air Quality Alerts due to wildfire smoke from Canada.

Please visit www.michigan.gov/wildfiresmokeandhealth for more information about wildfire smoke impacts and recommended health actions. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has also set up a hotline for Michigan residents to ask health-related questions related to air quality issues. The number is 800-648-6942, and is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

People could check the air quality in their area at www.airnow.gov. You can also sign up to receive air quality alerts directly from EnviroFlash using this link ttps://www.enviroflash.info/.

See recommendations for different populations and sectors below or go to www.michigan.gov/wildfiresmokeandhealth:

For everyone including sensitive populations:

Moderate air quality for PM 2.5 Index of 51- 100

• Everyone can enjoy being outside.
• For those unusually sensitive to fine particles from wildfire smoke (such as those with heart or lung conditions) consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality for PM 2.5 index of 101 – 150

• Everyone can enjoy being outside.
• People living with lung and heart disease, older adults aged 65+, pregnant people, and children should make activities shorter and less intense.

Unhealthy for Everyone air quality for PM 2.5 index of 151 – 200

• Everyone should reduce long or intense activities outside.
• People living with lung and heart disease, older adults aged 65+, pregnant people, and children are recommended to stay indoors and keep indoor air clean with MERV-13 or better air filtration to prevent breathing harmful particles of wildfire smoke.
• If you are unable to stay inside or you must go outside, consider using a protective N95 mask, especially children and pregnant people. Surgical and cloth masks will not stop you from breathing in the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke. If you are unable to stay inside your own house, you can seek a temporary shelter location that has clean indoor air.

Very Unhealthy for Everyone air quality for PM 2.5 index of 201 – 300

• Everyone is recommended to avoid long or intense outdoor activities and reschedule or move all outdoor activities indoors if possible.
• People living with lung and heart disease, older adults, pregnant people, and children are recommended to stay indoors, keep activity levels low, and keep indoor air clean with MERV-13 or better air filtration to prevent breathing harmful particles of wildfire smoke.
• If you must go outside, everyone is recommended to use a protective N95 mask. Surgical and cloth masks will not stop you from breathing in the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke.
• If you are unable to stay inside your own house, you are recommended to seek a temporary shelter location that has clean indoor air.

Hazardous for Everyone air quality for PM 2.5 index of 301 – 500 

• Everyone is recommended to stay indoors, keep activity levels low, and keep indoor air clean with MERV-13 or better air filtration to prevent breathing harmful particles of wildfire smoke.
• If you must go outside, everyone is recommended to use a protective N95 mask. Surgical and cloth masks will not stop you from breathing in the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke.
• If you are unable to stay inside your own house, you are recommended to seek a temporary shelter location that has clean indoor air.

For schools, daycares, and outdoor activities

Moderate air quality for PM 2.5 Index of 51- 100

• Maintain normal school operations.
• For unusually sensitive students to fine particles from wildfire smoke (such as those with heart or lung conditions), monitor for symptoms during outdoor recess, physical education, sports practices, games and consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities for them.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality for PM 2.5 index of 101 – 150

• Outdoor activities: Limit time spent outside to 30 minutes or less. Modify activities to reduce exertion and amount of inhaled smoke.
• Outdoor activities: Limit time spent outside to 30 minutes or less. Modify activities to reduce exertion and amount of inhaled smoke.

Unhealthy for Everyone air quality for PM 2.5 index of 151 – 200

• Outdoor activities: Limit time spent outside to 30 minutes or less. Modify activities to reduce exertion and amount of inhaled smoke.
• N95 Style Masks: Children and pregnant people could use mask while outdoors.
• Reduce Indoor Air Pollution: close windows and minimize opening of outside doors. Close outside air intakes unless there are MERV 13 filters. Create clean air rooms where children and staff with symptoms can stay and be further evaluated if needed.

Very Unhealthy for Everyone air quality for PM 2.5 index of 201 – 300

• Outdoor Activities: Cancel all outdoor physical activities or move them inside while keeping exertion minimal.
• School

  SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  SDGs	Targets	Indicators
  SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.	Indicator: PM 2.5 Index
  SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.	Indicator: Air Quality Index

  1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article discusses the impact of poor air quality on health, specifically mentioning the health effects of particle pollution exposure. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

  SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article provides information on air quality alerts and recommendations for outdoor activities due to wildfire smoke. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

  2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

  The article highlights the health effects of poor air quality from wildfire smoke, emphasizing the need to reduce exposure to harmful particles. This aligns with Target 3.9, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution.

  Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

  The article provides recommendations for reducing outdoor activities and improving indoor air quality during periods of poor air quality. This relates to Target 11.6, which focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality.

  3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  The article mentions the PM 2.5 Index as a measure of air quality. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9, as it reflects the concentration of fine particulate matter in the air, which is a key contributor to air pollution-related health issues.

  The article also refers to the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a tool for checking air quality. The AQI can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 11.6, as it provides information on the level of air pollution in a specific area.

  4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  SDGs	Targets	Indicators
  SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.	Indicator: PM 2.5 Index
  SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.	Indicator: Air Quality Index

  Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

  Source: detroitmi.gov

   

  

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