Air

This category is for air quality. Wind power is found under the energy category.

Moms Clean Air Force demonstrates an electric school bus in front of a manufacturing facility as a part of its national Let’s Get Rolling Tour in 202. Courtesy photo

Inside is not the answer: Air quality in the Great Lakes

By Mia Litzenberg | July 22, 2024

By Mia Litzenberg

In the Detroit area, people experience unsafe levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone in the air they breathe. These pollutants are blamed for adverse health effects such as heart disease, respiratory issues and cancer. The University of Michigan is part of an ongoing Detroit research partnership, Community Action to Promote Healthy Environments (CAPHE). CAPHE identifies sources of air pollution, measures its impact on residents and empowers the community to take action. CAPHE found that outdoor air pollution has caused people to miss a total of 500,000 days of work and 990,000 days of school.

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Air

Chronic health problems linked to pollution fuels environmental justice movement

By Jakkar Aimery | April 30, 2021

Serious health problems like increasing asthma rates among children in Detroit’s Black and Hispanic communities have been linked to what local organizations call environmental injustices as a result of low air quality and polluted neighborhoods.

Air

Michigan could avoid new air regulations if pollution increase is from California wildfires

By Taylor Haelterman | January 25, 2021

Increased ozone emissions in several southern Michigan counties could lead to new motor vehicle maintenance inspections if researchers can’t blame them on western wildfires.

Air

Pandemic lockdown created clean air gains

By Capital News Service | December 16, 2020

The same pandemic that restricts travel and manufacturing is having a measurable impact on decreasing air pollution in parts of the Great Lakes region, experts say.

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Clearing the air over northern Michigan pollution

By Kurt Williams | February 24, 2020

By Kurt Williams

Air quality in northern Michigan was bad on Jan., 21. At least that’s what the weather app on Sharon Emery’s phone reported. The ominous warning “Unhealthy Air Quality for Sensitive Groups” hung above the day’s current conditions of clear skies and 27 degrees. Emery has a place in Cheboygan, on the shore of Lake Huron in northern Michigan. It’s not known for poor air quality, especially in winter.

Air

Michigan, Minnesota among first states to get children’s health report card

By Sarah Hamming | December 18, 2019

Cancer, autism, asthma and attention deficit disorder afflict Michigan children at a greater rate than the nationwide average, according to a recent report.

Air

Great Lakes states join emissions lawsuit

By Tasia Bass | October 22, 2019

Challengers say Trump air rules usurp state authority to address climate change.

Air

Air quality casts pall over Great Lakes national parks

By Eric Freedman | June 12, 2019

The National Parks Conservation Association examined air pollution at 417 National Park Service properties and concluded that 96 percent of them “are plagued by significant air pollution problems.”

Air

Research on air quality in Canada sets the bar high for many countries

By Jasmine Hall | June 10, 2019

Air pollution research is among the top priorities of the Environment and Climate Change Canada sector of the government.

Air

No change in emission standards needed, experts say

By Agnes Bao | April 16, 2018

The EPA is considering lower emission standards for new vehicles. Environmentalists say that would be a step backward.

Air

Drones raise issue: Who controls prison airspace?

By Jack Nissen | January 12, 2018

State officials say that Michigan prisons are buzzed by drones almost weekly as people try to get cell phones, drugs and other contraband to inmates. State lawmakers want to ban flights over prisons, but they’re stepping on the toes of the FAA which regulates the nation’s airspace.