Air quality rated hazardous from wildfires, as Detroit ranks worst in world: What you need to know
Air Quality Alert is hazardous in Metro Detroit
Canadian wildfire smoke continues to move through SE Michigan giving us some of the worst breathing conditions in the world.
FOX 2 - Air quality continues to be a concern Thursday with the haze, smell and breathing conditions at dangerous levels for those spending long periods of time outdoors.
By the numbers:
The Air Quality Index is explained as the bigger the number, the more particles are in the air. The AQI marks anything more than 310 as hazardous - with Detroit current scoring 474 thanks to the smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Other cities with the worst conditions in the world Thursday morning are Minneapolis at 421, Oak Park at 427 and Ypsilanti with 293.
The Air Quality Index score ratings are:
0-50 GOOD — Little to no risk
51-100 — MODERATE — A small number of unusually sensitive people may have health concerns
101-150 — UNHEALTHY FOR SOME — People with heart/lung disease, older adults and children should limit outdoor activities
151-200 — UNHEALTHY — Everyone should limit outdoor activities, unusually sensitive people should remain indoors.
201-300 — VERY UNHEALTHY — Everyone should remain indoors as much as possible.
Any score beyond 301 is HAZARDOUS.
Canadian wildfire smoke rolls into downtown Detroit overnight
Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused an Air Quality Alert for Michigan and this timelapse from overnight shows the visual impact.
When it comes to global conditions, Toronto is scoring at 360 unsurprisingly given its vicinity to the wildfires with other scores paling in comparison to the other highest non-US cities, like Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (161) and Delhi, India (146) according to the website IQAir.
Air Quality Alert continues from Canadian wildfires smoke
The haze is thick from smoke and breathing for everyone has gotten difficult outdoors.
Safety guidelines:
It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma.
Doctor explains staying safe during Air Quality Alert
Dr. John Frith talks about limiting our activities and using N95 masks while Metro Detroit endures smoke from the Canadian wildfires.
Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and
eyes.
You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such as outdoor burning and use of residential wood burning devices.
Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.