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Air Quality Index Warnings

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 https://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 Closings: Consider closing some schools if it is hot and the buildings don't have air conditioning making it unsafe to stay inside with windows closed.
  • N95 Style Masks: Recommend for all people if they must be outside.
  • 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.

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

  • Outdoor Activities: Cancel all outdoor physical activities or move them inside while keeping exertion minimal.
  • School Closings: Consider closing some schools if it is hot and the buildings don't have air conditioning making it unsafe to stay inside with windows closed.
  • N95 Style Masks: Recommend for all people if they must be outside.
  • 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.

For outdoor workers

For health care providers:

Health effects of poor air quality from wildfire smoke:
In general, the health threats from wildfire smoke relate mainly to the particles that are suspended in the air, especially the smaller particles like PM 2.5 that can more easily get into a person’s lungs (EPA – Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke). The health effects of particle pollution exposure can range from relatively minor (e.g., eye and respiratory tract irritation) to more serious health effects (e.g., exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death).