Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announced the eighth Air Quality Advisory of the season for the region.

The advisory is due to elevated levels of ozone.

SEMCOG Executive Director Amy O'Leary said the combination of high temperatures and sunny skies this week is contributing to elevated ozone levels. She said “As we face this advisory, it’s important for everyone to take steps to reduce pollutants and protect our health, especially for vulnerable populations".

Jim Haywood, Senior Meteorologist with the Air Quality Division of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said "The next saga in Michigan Air Quality is the likelihood of elevated ozone in the Southeast Michigan counties during Tuesday. Temperatures will be near 90 under sunny skies, low wind speeds, and dew points in the mid 60’s, which is ideal for ozone development. As a result, we are issuing an Ozone Advisory for the Southeast Michigan area for Tuesday. Fortunately, this looks to be a one-day event as clouds and rain move in Wednesday afternoon in advance of an approaching cold front".

The agencies say it’s important for local governments, businesses, and individuals to do what they can to voluntarily lower pollutant emissions when high levels of ozone are expected. Breathing high concentrations of ozone can cause a variety of health problems - particularly for the elderly, children, and people with asthma or other respiratory issues.

It is recommended that, when possible, strenuous outdoor activities are avoided, especially by those with respiratory diseases such as asthma. People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which can lead to ozone formation. Those include refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline-powered lawn equipment, and using charcoal lighter fluid. Driving less or delaying and/or combing errands is encouraged.