Related:

• Michigan under statewide advisory as Canada wildfire smoke hits Midwest
• Record 1.7M Michigan residents to hit road for Independence Day: What to know
• Michigan fireworks: Fire danger continues, prompting cancelation fears
• Great Lakes water temperatures warming up ahead of Fourth of July weekend

The smoke comes from ongoing wildfires in eastern Canada and contains a higher concentration of hazardous pollutants than clean air.

You are viewing: When Will Air Quality Improve Michigan

The hardest hit area currently is southeastern Michigan. Detroit’s air quality index was 306 as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, placing the area in the “hazardous” category.

Skies in the Upper Peninsula have started to clear, though the air in some areas of northern Michigan is still unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Read more : When Does Hunting Season Start In Tennessee

You can check the air quality index (AQI) in your area here. The higher the index, the more pollutants there are in the air. You can also sign up for air quality alerts in your area through EnviroFlash.

Is it OK to walk my dog or go for a run?

Like their humans, pets can also develop respiratory diseases that can be triggered by breathing in smoke. Make sure any trips to go to the bathroom outside are no longer than a few minutes.

If the AQI in your area is above 150, everyone will be affected by the pollution in the air. Experts say everyone should avoid strenuous outdoor exercise at this level, as someone who is jogging or even working in the yard will be inhaling more air — and more pollutants — than someone who is walking.

How does the smoke affect me?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, inhaling wildfire smoke can cause a number of adverse reactions including chest pain, heart palpitations, eye irritation and headaches.

Read more : When Are Property Taxes Due In Colorado

Smoke inhalation is especially harmful to people with heart or lung disease, those who are pregnant, young children and older adults.

From how far away has this smoke traveled?

The pollution comes from ongoing wildfires in Quebec and Ontario at least 500 miles away from Detroit, in Canada’s worst fire season in modern history.

The smoke, which made national headlines for turning skies orange in the northeastern U.S. three weeks ago, has now been pushed by wind currents to Michigan and other parts of the Midwest.

Why does the smoke smell like plastic?

A lot of volatile organic compounds are released into the air when wood burns, according to a toxicologist at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. These compounds emit the “campfire” smell we’re used to, but quickly break down when exposed to UV radiation.

They can then be overpowered by chemical compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde, which emit the plastic-like smell.

Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN