Air Quality Alert Issued For Friday’s Heatwave

MICHIGAN — With temperatures soaring above 90 degrees and heat indices reaching beyond 100 degrees, officials are warning Michiganders about the quality of air over the next several days. Friday until 9:15 p.m. has been declared as an Ozone Action day for elevated levels of pollutants, which particularly impact sensitive age groups like children and seniors.

The air quality alert is in effect for Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw, Macomb, Oakland, Livingston and St. Clair counties as of Thursday afternoon. The alert could extend into other regions and throughout the weekend, officials say.

People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone formation. These activities include...refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline powered lawn equipment and using charcoal lighter fluid. Positive activities include carpooling, biking to work, delaying or combining errands and using water based paints.

It is recommended that active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Here are some things you can do to keep the air clean on Friday:

• Delay mowing the lawn until evening or the next day. Exhaust from your lawn mower and other gas-powered lawn and garden equipment help form ozone.
• Leave your car at home. Instead, take the bus, carpool, bike, walk or telecommute. You'll reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as save money.
• Avoid refueling your vehicle during daylight hours. Fumes released at the gas pump contribute to ozone formation.
• Reduce electricity use. Adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher and turn off lights, computers and other electrical devices when not in use.

For more information, please see the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality page at http://www.deqmiair.org

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