Health department urging caution during low air quality alert

June 5, 2025
LUDINGTON — District Health Department #10 encourages residents to take precautions based on current air conditions. The Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy issued an air quality alert for Michigan’s entire Lower Peninsula Thursday, June 5.
“Due to widespread wildfires in Canada, smoke plumes are moving through the atmosphere and are impacting air quality,” states a DHD #10 press release. “Currently, air quality in the DHD#10 jurisdiction is rated as unhealthy, though some areas may experience periods of higher concentrations, temporarily elevating those areas to very unhealthy or hazardous. To access and monitor air quality levels in your area, visit https://fire.airnow.gov.
“We’re asking residents to be cautious until the air quality conditions improve,” said Kevin Hughes, Health Officer for DHD#10. “Please make sure you’re taking the proper precautions to reduce your exposure, especially our outdoor workers, older adults, children/teens, and people who are pregnant or have lung and heart conditions.”
Anyone can get sick from exposure to wildfire smoke. DHD#10 is advising residents:
  • Stay inside
    • The best action people can take to protect their health from wildfire smoke is to stay inside with the doors and windows closed using good air filtration (MERV-13 or better) for vents and cooling systems.
  • Use air filters to improve indoor air quality
    • Whether you have a central air conditioning system or a portable room unit, use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke.
  • If outside, consider the following:
    • Using a tight-fitting N95 or P100 respirator marked with “NIOSH.”
      • KN95 and KF94 respirators are also an option.
    • Shorten the amount of time you spend outside and:
      • Choose less strenuous activities
      • Reschedule an activity until air quality has improved.
    • For our outdoor workers, consider the OSHA National News Release
Below are explanations of how AirNow.gov determines the region’s current air quality:
Hazardous for Everyone: air quality for PM 2.5 index of 301 – 500
All people should avoid all physical activities outdoors. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. For people with asthma, follow your action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. For people with heart disease, symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider.

Very Unhealthy for Everyone:  air quality for PM 2.5 index of 201 – 300
All people should avoid long or intense outdoor activities. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers should avoid all physical outdoor activities. Reschedule outdoor activities or move them indoors. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. For people with asthma, follow your action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. For people with heart disease, symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your healthcare provider.
Unhealthy for Everyone: air quality for PM 2.5 index of 151 – 200
All people should reduce long or intense outdoor activities and take more breaks. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers should avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. For people with asthma, follow your action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. For people with heart disease, symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: air quality for PM 2.5 index of 101 – 150
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense. It’s okay to be active outdoors but take more breaks. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. For people with asthma, follow your action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. For people with heart disease, symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider.
Moderate: air quality for particulate matter (PM) 2.5 Index of 51- 100
Those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution should consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to take it easier. For everyone else, it’s a good day to be outside.

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