Michigan air quality map: Check if it’s bad today in your area

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Air Quality Alert Issued for Southeast Michigan

An air quality alert for increased ozone was issued for southeast Michigan on Saturday by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This alert is particularly relevant to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Higher ozone levels can adversely affect respiratory health, especially in sensitive groups.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Ensuring air quality is crucial for sustainable urban living.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Addressing air pollution is a key component of climate action strategies.

Current Air Quality Conditions

Higher ozone levels during the mid-afternoon and early evening will bring the air quality index within the orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups range. This is a significant concern for SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Ozone Season and Particle Pollution

Michigan’s ozone season generally runs between the warmer months of March and October. However, particle pollution from sources like power plants, vehicle emissions, and industry can reach unhealthy levels year-round. These pollutants, especially PM2.5, can have serious health consequences, impacting SDG 3.

Sources of Particle Pollution

Other sources of particle pollution include unpaved roads, construction sites, and wildfire smoke. For instance, Michiganders experienced unhealthy air days in the summer of 2023 when Canadian wildfires darkened Detroit’s skyline. This highlights the importance of SDG 13 in addressing climate-related hazards.

Michigan’s Current Air Quality

The map below displays the current air quality at monitoring sites in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Air Quality Index Guidelines (Ozone and Particle Pollution)

Some people are more sensitive to air pollution because of their age or health. People who are active or work outdoors are also at higher risk when the air quality is poor. Health concerns related to poor air quality may include difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, and more serious health effects such as lung damage, asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke. This directly impacts SDG 3.

Interpreting Air Quality Index Values

Here’s how to interpret the Air Quality Index values, according to the U.S. EPA:

1. Good (0-50): The level of pollution in the air is of little to no risk.
2. Moderate (51-100): For people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, a moderate health concern may exist.
3. Unhealthy for sensitive groups (101-150): People who are more sensitive to air pollution may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
4. Unhealthy (151-200): Some people may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
5. Very unhealthy (201-300): An alert is triggered; the general population is at risk for more serious health effects.
6. Hazardous (301-500): Emergency conditions health alert: Everyone is likely to be affected.

For more information about air quality, visit AirNow.gov.

Kristi Tanner is a data reporter. Contact her at ktanner@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @midatalove.

Free Press reporter Kylie Martin contributed to this report.

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Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
3. SDG 13: Climate Action

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

• 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.
• 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.
• SDG 13: Climate Action
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).
• SDG 13: Climate Action
  • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production (including a national adaptation plan, nationally determined contribution, national communication, biennial update report or other).

4. Table of Findings

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Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: freep.com

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