Michigan’s air quality is generally pretty good.
But Canadian wildfires in Quebec last week created hazy, smoky conditions that brought the air quality index (AQI) to levels not generally seen in the state and other parts of the America’s Midwest.
“When it comes to the air quality index the lower the number the better. Normally, we’re probably in the 30s and 40s. That’s not bad,” Dr. Devang Doshi, an allergist with Corewell Health Royal Oak said. “But last week we were in the 160s and unfortunately that created problems for a lot of people with respiratory ailments and heart conditions.”
Other allergists and physicians at area hospitals and emergency rooms reported slight increases in the number of asthma and exacerbation and respiratory issues, possibly caused by the fires but also extremely high pollen conditions.
“People were just miserable,” Doshi said.
A satellite image taken Wednesday, June 7, 2023, provided by CSU/CIRA & NOAA, shows a broad view of smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting across Michigan and other parts of the Midwest prompting an air quality alert. Photo courtesy of CSU/CIRA & NOAA via AP
How bad was it?
Elevated levels in parts of southeastern Michigan prompted the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to declare an air quality alert for June 8-9.
“It was the first air quality alert that we’ve done in the last decade,” said Kyle Klein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake Township.
The unusually poor conditions prompted the cancellation of numerous outdoor activities.
In Major League Baseball, a Detroit Tigers game at Philadelphia was called off, as was the Belmont, which is the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.
Areas of Macomb and Oakland counties also saw outdoor events canceled due to the poor air quality alert.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see these alerts issued again,” Klein said, noting with the first day of summer next week will come hot and dry conditions that are expected to last.
During July, August and September temperatures throughout Michigan are predicted to be high while remaining below average for precipitation. Klein said what we will be experiencing here in the next three months is likely to be the same as conditions in Canada.
The numbers
In the past six weeks, wildfires in Canada have not only impacted air quality but sparked a great deal of discussion about current conditions across the U.S., where air quality has been poor for some time.
According to an analysis by QuoteWizard.com, the five most polluted states based on air quality and drinking water quality are:
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Mississippi
• Arizona
• New Jersey
Michigan was ranked 22nd overall for air and drinking water pollution while Hawaii and North Dakota were found to have the lowest pollution levels.
In determining the rankings QuoteWizard analysts evaluated the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) measurements for 2022. In determining the percentages of good days the team analyzed data related to five pollutants covered by the AQI including: Ozone (O3), Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Other key findings showed:
• Air quality is the worst in California, followed by New Mexico and Arizona.
• In 2022, California had a total of 67% “good” air quality days, while Hawaii had 99%.
• West Virginia, New Jersey and Mississippi have the most polluted water.
• Over 10% of the population in West Virginia was affected by drinking water violations.
• Thirteen states had zero drinking water violations in 2021.
Canada’s wildfires
There are currently more than 400 wildfires burning across Canada, according to a report by the Guardian.
“The ‘fire season’, when weather conditions are ripe for conflagrations, has only just begun. A third of the fires are in the boreal forest in the eastern province of Quebec, a place not used to dealing with large blazes,” according to the report.
Michigan experienced a good dousing of rain on Thursday — but Quebec did not get enough to douse the flames.
Fires are now burning in every Canadian province and territory except for Prince Edward Island and Nunavut, a frigid northern region where trees cannot survive. The amount of land consumed is also striking – more than 5.4 million acres have burned so far this year (since the start of the worst fire season in decades).
About 5,000 firefighters from other countries, including the U.S. and France, have been deployed across Canada, while teams from Chile and Costa Rica are expected in the coming days.
Dr. Devang Doshi, an allergist at Corewell Health Royal Oak examines Julian Bright. Both Julian and his mother, Jessica Bright of Shelby Township have asthma and are among those most vulnerable during poor air quality conditions. Photo courtesy of Corewell Health
Health risks
Poor air quality is especially difficult for individuals with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Last week’s conditions forced many people indoors, where air quality can be controlled and even improved with air purifiers and filtration systems.
Among the companies that specialize in air quality is C & C Heating and Air Conditioning in Roseville. Dayna Hottle, a company spokesperson, whose grandfather and great uncle started the business in 1948, said they saw their numbers doubled at the start of COVID-19 but have not seen a huge increase due to the fires. However, that could change during the summer months if the conditions persist.
Of those who ventured outdoors while the orange haze engulfed Michigan many experienced a variety of symptoms including throat irritation, coughs, watery eyes and a runny nose.
Doshi said the best course of action in the coming months is to be mindful of the conditions in your area and consider a few healthful measures:
• Check the weather or AirNow app on your phone to determine the AQI count for the day
• If you have respiratory issues make sure it’s safe to be outdoors
• When poor air quality conditions exist minimize your time outdoors
• Also be mindful of bringing pets indoors
