Millions of people across the United States have been advised to limit outdoors activity amid concerns over high air pollution levels.
Air quality advisories have been issued on Tuesday for parts of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Colorado.
The warnings mean that ground-level ozone concentrations are forecast to reach dangerous levels that could pose a risk to sensitive groups and the general public.
Why It Matters
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned in its alert notices that people who are particularly sensitive to elevated pollution levels include “the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.”
“Some members of the general public may experience health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects,” it said.
“If you have heart disease: symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your healthcare provider.”
What To Know
In Michigan, an Air Quality Advisory has been issued for a large swathe of south-eastern counties, covering major urban areas including Detroit, Flint and Ann Arbor.
Pollutants are expected to be in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range. “It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with respiratory diseases such as asthma,” the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said in the NWS alert.
In New York, an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulates has been issued for large parts of the state’s north-east and north-west, covering cities including Syracuse, Utica, and Binghamton.
In Vermont, an advisory has been issued for Caledonia, Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Essex, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Pollution Action Day for the greater Chicago metropolitan area. This is declared when widespread ozone levels are expected to be at or above the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category.
Air quality alerts have also been issued across northern Minnesota and far north-west Indiana.
Meanwhile in Colorado, an air quality health advisory has been issued for wildfire smoke in Delta, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Gunnison, and southern Mesa counties.
What People Are Saying
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said in the NWS alert: “People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which can lead to ozone formation. These activities include: refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline powered lawn equipment, using charcoal lighter fluid.”
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management said: “Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation; Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip; Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7pm; Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds; Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.”
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said: “If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than five miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”
Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary, University of London, told Newsweek previously that there are “very clear links” between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
He added: “There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they’ve got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults.”
What Happens Next
The air quality alerts in Michigan, New York, Vermont, Illinois and Indiana are currently set to remain in force until midnight, while the warning in Minnesota is set to run until 11 p.m.
The air quality alert in Colorado is set to expire at 9 a.m.
The post Millions Told To Halt Outdoors Activity In 7 States appeared first on Newsweek.
