Detroit Air Quality Update June 29th 2023
Detroit Air Quality Update June 29th 2023
Unfortunately, today the air quality is 157 - 184, which is unhealthy.
What is the typical air quality?
The typical air quality index is closer to 30. This is an acceptable level of air quality where the air feels good, with no smoke, smog, or haze in the air. Visibility is good and asthma exacerbations happen with fewer frequency.
what is the air quality like today?
With a level of 150 to 200, like today, the air quality is unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. This poor air quality index is due to smoke particular matter wafting down from wildfires in Canada.
What you should do
Today, and on unhealthy air quality days, limit your outdoor activities and wear an N95 mask so that you don't breathe in the particulate matter. Unfortunately, these small particles can get into our lungs, into our blood stream, and can cross our blood brain barrier.
There are several ill health effects that can happen with prolonged exposure to poor air quality. Cities like Mumbai (formerly called Bombay), India have poor, unhealthy, and hazardous air quality on a regular basis, so there is more research in cities like this. From that data, the UN Environmental Programme released a compelling report. You can read the whole report, but the key health info starts on page 55, don’t miss page 61, 62, 63. Here are some of the key findings:
A wildfire event can cause feelings of confusion, anger, fear, and loss, all of which can have long-term impacts on the people and communities that experience them.
There are indications that people can also suffer psychological distress from losing a valued landscape due to a wildfire or as a result of long periods of smoke exposure
Particles (from wildfire smoke) may cause oxidative stress in brain cells
Particles can cross from the circulatory system to the central nervous system (into the brain) and impair it
Particles can cross the gas-blood barrier in the lung and reach the circulatory system
Particles can deliver harmful chemicals into the blood (Carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon)
Fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs causing an impact on the respiratory system (e.g., asthma, COPD*)
Particles can induce oxidative stress response in lung cells
I spoke to the media about this two weeks ago via Daily Detroit This is a podcast and my interview is in the second half of the podcast.
💨 Keep doors and windows closed on unhealthy air quality days
💨 Use a HEPA filter at your home or work place
💨 Plan on indoor activities
💨 Limit strenuous activities out doors when there are unhealthy air quality days - the more vigorous your exercise intensity out doors, the more particulate matter you breathe in, and therefore the more oxidate stress in your lungs, brain, and body
💨 Indoor vacuuming can stir up dust in your home, so limit vacuuming on days like these.
💨 Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution, such as burning candles, using gas stoves, and vacuuming.
The California Air Resource Board has more great tips, here.
Vulnerable groups
If you have a cardiac or pulmonary condition (asthma, COPD, heart disease) or if you are immunocompromised (receiving cancer treatments, pregnant), then I strongly recommend limiting any time outside today.
If you do go outside, I recommend wearing a mask, ideally an N95.
In general, for all patients, I recommend limiting the amount of time outside today or wearing a mask if outside, ideally an N95. As in the figure below, an N95 is recommended when the air quality is unhealthy (red).
Stay safe, and have a great weekend,
- Paul