The orange indicate levels of the colorless, odorless gas ozone that are considered unhealthy for sensitive populations like children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases.
Unseasonable heat and smog are smothering Great Lakes states this week.
Many cities are experiencing record-breaking high temperatures with elevated ground-ozone levels that are unhealthy for children, older adults and people with lung disease or asthma.
Ozone, a colorless and odorless gas, forms when emissions from cars and industry combine under the sun. High levels can aggravate respiratory diseases and irritate the lungs and throat, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Levels in the 101-150 range, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, occurred throughout southern Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and western Pennsylvania this week, according to the national air quality information network AIRNow.
Local, county and state agencies issue action days to warn residents of weather that may cause health problems. Ozone action days are in effect for many areas in Great Lakes region.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, a regional planning partnership, called its first ozone action day of the summer Wednesday, June 8. The last time an ozone action day was called earlier than June 8 was May 31, 1999, said Sue Stetler, director of communications for the council.
In Michigan, hot, humid and windless weather is blamed for the ozone pollution. It’s common to see higher temperatures and more smog in July and August, Stetler said.
“The season is May 1 through Sept. 30. Normally it happens when the weather gets this hot. And it doesn’t normally get this hot this early,” she said.
Southeast Michigan usually experiences three to five high ozone days a year. In 2001 and 2002, there were 16 days called in each of those years, Stetler said.
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to smog. Photo: U.S. EPA
Poor air quality will not continue through the weekend in Michigan due to changing weather. she said.
Indiana officials also issued what they call Knozone action days, for cities in southwestern Indiana, including Indianapolis; ozone pollution will continue Thursday for the fifth day in a row, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission issued its third air quality alert of the year. High ozone will continue through Thursday at levels in the unhealthy range for sensitive populations.
The highest ozone level in Ohio since 2000 was in 2003, which was unhealthy for all populations, said Ashley Lester, air quality program coordinator for the commission.
To reduce ozone, drive less, Stetler said. Carpool, work from home or take public transportation.
Since vehicle emissions cause ozone, avoiding the use of cars or lawnmowers. Stetler recommends not filling up the car with gas on days with high ozone or waiting until later in the day.
“In southwest Michigan, there are 4.7 million people. These things may seem little, but if everyone does something, it makes a difference,” Stetler said.
Another good tip from Stetler: Relax.
“Don’t use your lawnmower, use your armchair.”
For more information on ozone pollution, watch the video below: