Air Quality

Local air quality can impact our daily lives. Like the weather, air quality can change from day to day. You can find out what the air quality is like by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI): https://www.airnow.gov/. You can sign up for text or email alerts about air quality here. 

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has set up a hotline for Michigan residents to ask health-related questions related to air quality issues. The number is 800-648-6942, and it is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

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Cómo protegerse del aire dañino

What To Do During Unhealthy Air Quality Conditions

You can do things to protect your health when air quality levels are unhealthy. This is especially important for people who have heart or lung disease (like asthma), pregnant people, and older adults, children, and teens. 

When air quality is poor, it's important to avoid breathing in too much air pollution.

For people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens:

  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities (don't do things that will make you breathe heavily outdoors, like exercise)
  • Keep outdoor activities short
  • Move physical activities indoors or move them to a day with healthier air quality
  • If you have asthma, be sure to keep your inhaler with you at all times - especially when you're outside

For everyone else:

  • Choose less strenuous activities so you don’t breathe as hard (for example, walking instead of running)
  • Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors
  • Be active outdoors when air quality is better

Air Quality Resources

Wildfire Smoke Resources

Recursos en español