Laura J. DeGuire, Environmental Quality SpecialistAIM Partnership Forum on May 10, 2011
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division
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Easy Air Quality Communication Tools via MIair
Pollutants in Outdoor Air
IndustrialPlants
Natural SourcesCrustal Dust, &
Plants
Home Heating & Other Combustion
SourcesElectric
Utility Plants
Vehicular Traffic
Ambient Air Pollution
Multiple Complex Chemical Reactions
AgriculturalActivities
(crop & animal)
Michigan’s Air Quality
Air “measurements” in Michigan are usually pretty good … but not always where they need to be to protect everyone’s health when “hammered” by an air episode.
It's Easy to Navigate MIair
You can always return to DEQ, DEQ “AIR”, or DEQ Air Monitoring web page simply by selecting the link at the top.
Use the tabs at the top of the window to move around the MIair pages.
The Forecast Discussion is helpful in knowing what air conditions are expected.
MIair is Your air!A hotlink to AIRNow provides a national perspective.
AQI information helps “Protect”
The Air Quality Index is a tool used to communicate potential air quality concerns in a timely manner … especially to “protect” the health of sensitive groups such as children, asthmatics, people with heart disease, & people who work/exercise strenuously outdoors.
MIair is Your air!
Air Quality Index (AQI) Tab
The AQI provides a “snapshot” of current air quality levels.
The AQI map as shown here is a standardized representation of air data for ozone and PM2.5.
If two or more pollutants are monitored at any location, the AQI represents the pollutant with the “worst” levels.
Select the Legend for
more details
Information on Breakpoints and the "Actions to Protect
Health" fact sheet
MIair is Your air!
Urging “Caution”
Once you know the daily AQI color forecast, you can make choices that reduce exposure and reduce emissions.
Choose to: PROTECT HEALTH by reducing
strenuous/prolonged exertion when poor air quality is expected.
TAKE ACTION! to reduce air pollution levels by driving less, using energy efficient products, and by opting not to burn.
MIair is Your air!
AQI Health Statements
.
Levels of Health Concern
Numerical Value
Meaning
GoodGREEN
0-50 Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
ModerateYELLOW
51-100 Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
ORANGE
101-150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected
UnhealthyRED
151-200 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very UnhealthyPURPLE
201-300 Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.
HazardousMAROON
> 300 Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
MIair is Your air!
NOTE:
Michigan’s air usually falls in the “green” or“yellow” range.
Sometimes “orange” values occur & more infrequently,“red” values.
Michigan’s air quality has never recorded“maroon” levels.
MIair is Your air!
“Building” onto Ozone Action!The Action! Day program has been one of Michigan’s most successful air outreach programs.
It began with Ozone Action! rollout in Detroit during 1984 and West Michigan in 1985. Since then, similar programs have spread across the nation.It encourages voluntary actions to reduce the air emissions that generate pollution.
MIair is Your air!
Benefits of Action! Days
Action! Day Focus: Reduce pollution precursors in areas of influence along with areas of impact.
Health Message:People with health concerns know Action! Days indicate higher air pollution values are expected & can take action to protect themselves.
Impact
Influence
ACTION! DAYS
Ozone Action!
Day
• Notification via fax, e-mail & text messages.
• News media - TV, radio & newspapers share the message with the general public.
• NWS weather wire.• Web notification MIair,
Clean Air Coalitions, and AIRNow.
Action! Days Tab
MIair is Your air!
Action!Days Header Detail:
• About Action! Days -Information and links to local partners
• What Can I Do? -Specific Actions! that reduce pollution and protect health
• Receive Notices -Links to EnviroFlash notification information
• Forecast Discussion
EnviroFlash is an automated Air Quality Index ( ) tool that sends a forecast message to subscribers at a level they select. Subscribers are also notified of Action! Days.
MIair is Your air!
EnviroFlash AQI Notification
Additional Option:UV EnviroFlash Forecast
Michigan DEQ added the option to receive UV Radiation notices as an additional service to residents.
This is done in partnership with the American Cancer Society and State of Michigan.
Reinforces the message to: Avoid sun when UV levels highest. Cover skin with clothing & use
UVA&B sunscreen.Wear a hat and sunglasses.
MIair is Your air!
Why Michigan Participates
Even with a “clipped” budget and staff, a federal mandate requires that DEQ provide information … and using EnviroFlash has allowed the DEQ to get timely air information directly to the public at low cost!
Staff time and program expenses are fairly low.
MIair is Your air!
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7
9
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1
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10
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Michigan AQI Forecast Areas
1. Eastern UP2. Traverse City3. Ludington4. Grand Rapids5. Benton Harbor6. Kalamazoo 7. Lansing8. Houghton Lake9. Saginaw10. Flint11. Ann Arbor12. Detroit
MIair is Your air!
Choose a Color -Example Notifications
Msg From: [email protected] (Air qualityforecastfor Detroit)Detroit: 2/3 forecast forParticle Pollution (2.5 microns) is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
MIair is Your air!
Breakdown of Forecast Level Request
1 2 3 4 5 6 7Good Moderate
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Action Days OnlyUnhealthy
Very Unhealthy Hazardous
Most People “ Pick” Orange
MIair is Your air!
Monitoring Data Tab
MIair is Your air!
Air monitors in various locations across Michigan report hourly values. The raw (not fully quality assured) data is displayed in near real-time.
By using the Air Monitoring tabs, you can review past data.
<< < Today > >>
<< = one week back < = one day back> = one day forward
>> = one week forwardToday = takes you back to the current readings.
MIair is Your air!
Ozone & PM2.5 Map Tabs
Use the “Legend” to help interpret
the map.
Select “Animate” to put the map in motion
MIair is Your air!
MIair is Not a Perfect System Some of the “Vices” …
• MONITOR VALUES DON’T ALWAYS MATCH THE FORECAST: Forecasts are based on expected values for regional monitors, not source-impacted monitors.
• FEW BAD AIR DAYS TO TEST PROGRAM: Elevated pollution levels are rare, so the program is not well tested during periods of poor air quality.
• “HUH?” FACTOR: Public is confused between … AQI forecasts vs. actual monitor data; and NAAQS (federal health standards) vs. the AQI daily health
indicator.
• OCCASIONAL ON-LINE MAP ERRORS: Since the AQI shows raw data which is not yet quality assured, an occasional bad value may appear.
MIair is Your air!
I’ll “Level” With You ..
MESSAGE CLARIFICATION NEEDED:• STRESS … Actions! to reduce air emissions and
Actions! to protect health.• ENSURE ... the health message is “reduce
exertion”, not “don’t exercise”. Suggest “When air is unhealthy try a light jog instead of a run”; “Rotate players frequently in sports/games”, etc.”
Reduce prolonged physical exertion when air quality is poor. Follow the AQI health guidelines.
The “Wrenching” TruthSadly, much of Michigan is …
• Not yet familiar with MIair, the AQI, EnviroFlash nor the difference between the NAAQS air standards and the daily AQI health indicator.
• Not enrolled. Enrollment has not increased as quickly as we would like. More rigorous marketing is needed, however staff time is severely limited.
Note: Funding limitations prevent the optimal marketing of MIair to Michigan residents.
. MIair is Your air!
“Axing” For Help To Grow EnviroFlash
The sole purpose of EnviroFlash notifications is to provide AQI information that helps people make good choices … especially when air quality is expected to be poor. Michigan DEQ wants to engage partners to help market the program.
Constructive ideas how to improve and provide better information are welcome.
We Market MIair, AQI & EFone “step” at a time…
• Partner with Asthma Initiative of Michigan and other Asthma Programs
• Work with AARP which has published information in newsletter articles.
• Promote the MIair AQI and EF info with each news reporter contact.
• Provide outreach materials for schools to use for recess and sports programs.
• Where possible DEQ will continue to work with local health departments, community groups, local clean air coalitions, tribes and other organizations to multiply the message across the state.
DEQ info on webpage:www.michigan.gov/airAir Publications listed under Spotlight
1. Actions to Protect Health Fact Sheet2. AQI Fact Sheet3. Michigan EnviroFlash Program Fact Sheet4. Idle Reduction Fact Sheet & Draft Policy for Schools
Example DEQ Materials
Example EPA Materials
EPA info on AIRNow webpage:www.airnow.gov1. Learning Center web info2. Why is Coco Orange? book3. School Flag Program4. Magic School Bus gets Cleaned Up
MIair
Air Quality Index (AQI) - maps and graphs of current air quality using health indicator colors. Includes air quality forecast discussion.
Action! Days - are called when ozone or fine particulate (PM2.5) levels are forecast to be high. Suggests “actions” to reduce emissions and to reduce exposure.
Notifications - receive free, automated EnviroFlash e-mail or cell phone text messages. (You receive only the information you want!)
Monitoring Data - all continuous air monitoring and meteorological data collected is displayed in an hourly format.
PM2.5 & Ozone Maps - a map “picture” of current air quality levels for ozone and fine particles.
Links - provide more DEQ air information as well as great links to EPA, local partners, and other useful web locations.
Real-time air quality information:
MIair is Your air!