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Michigan Outreach TOOLS

2007 National Air Quality Conference COMMUNICATING AIR QUALITY “Tools of the Trade” Session. Michigan Outreach TOOLS. MI air. Michigan Air Data Online in Real Time Laura J. DeGuire Air Quality Division Department of Environmental Quality www.michigan.gov/deqair.

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Michigan Outreach TOOLS

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  1. 2007 National Air Quality Conference COMMUNICATING AIR QUALITY “Tools of the Trade” Session Michigan Outreach TOOLS

  2. MIair Michigan Air Data Online in Real Time Laura J. DeGuire Air Quality Division Department of Environmental Quality www.michigan.gov/deqair MIair is Your air!

  3. Air quality in Michigan is usually pretty good … but not always where it needs to be to protect everyone’s health. Michigan Air Quality The DEQ uses the AirQualityIndex( ) tool to communicate poor air quality when the air isn’t as clean as it should be. The AQI provides a thumbnail of current air health via the web. It’s especially important for sensitive groups …i.e.children,asthmatics, people with heart disease,& people that work/exercise strenuously outdoors.

  4. MIair • MIair provides real-time air quality information via the internet. It incorporates the: • - Air Quality Index • - Action! Days • - Notifications • - Monitoring Data • - Ozone Maps • - PM2.5 Maps • - Links Do your share to clean the air … because MIair is Your air!

  5. DEQ Contracted w/ Sonoma Tech Factors Involved With Contract: • DEQ’s real-time web data software no longer worked • Sought a program designed to use MI data via AIRNow Tech • Minimal funds for program • Yes, there were Bureaucracy [red tape] approval challenges • “MIair” program tailored from existing website framework.

  6. Usefultab format Air Quality Index (AQI) - maps and graphs of current air quality using health indicator colors. Includes next day air quality forecast and forecast discussion. Action! Days - called if ozone or fine particulate (PM2.5) levels are forecast to be high. Partner agencies, suggested “actions” and tips to reduce emissions and exposure. Notifications- receive free, automated EnviroFlash e-mail or cell phone text messages. (Only information you want!) Monitoring Data - continuous air monitor & meteorological data collected is displayed in an hourly format. PM2.5 & Ozone Maps- a “picture” of current air quality levels. Links- provide more DEQ air information … as well as great EPA, regional, local partner, and other related materials. MIair is Your air!

  7. NavigatingMIairPages Use the tabs at the top to move around the MIair webpage. You can always return to MI, DEQ, DEQ “AIR”, or DEQ Air Monitoring web pages simply by selecting the link at the upper left corner. The Announcements and Forecast Discussion options are helpful for being aware of expected air conditions. MIair is Your air!

  8. Air Quality Index Tab The AQI is a “snapshot” of current air health: Select the Legend for more detail. NOTE: Michigan’s air usually falls in the“green” or “yellow” range.Sometimes “orange”values occur &more infrequently, “red” values. “Maroon”air quality levels have never been recorded. MIair is Your air!

  9. AQI - Taking “Caution” When people know the AQI forecast colors, they can make choices to reduce their exposure and to reduce air emissions. They can: • 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.

  10. IMPORTANT: AQI ≠ NAAQS The daily AQI health indicator must NOT be confused with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The NAAQS for ozone and for fine particulate are 3-year average-based health standards used for regulatory determinations. AQI LIMITATIONS:The AQI is an excellent tool to view current air conditions; however, be aware of its limitations. MIair data has not yet been fully quality assured. Sometimes high values falsely imply elevated pollution levels when there is nearby construction, equipment malfunction, etc. • AQI Colors • Green = Good • Yellow = Moderate • Orange = Unhealthy/SG • Red = Unhealthy for all • Purple = Very Unhealthy • Maroon = Hazardous MIair is Your air!

  11. “Action! Days” Tab • Action! Days allow people to make choices that help clean the air & protect health on days when pollution is expected to be elevated. • TOP NAV: • About Action! Days - Information and links to local partners • What Can I Do? - Specific Actions! that reduce pollution and protect health • Receive Notices - Link to EnviroFlash notifications • Forecast Discussion - detailed meteorological evaluation. • CENTER WEBPAGE: • Current Action! Day - Current situation and dates of current year’s Action! Days • Previous years - Action! Day information for years back to 1994. Click on location to find which counties are associated with a city location: MIair is Your air!

  12. 2006 Air Quality Forecast Locationsnow reach 98% of population MIair • Eastern UP • Traverse City • Ludington • Grand Rapids • Benton Harbor • Kalamazoo • Lansing • Houghton Lake • Saginaw • Flint • Ann Arbor • Detroit Forecast Cities • Grand Rapids • Detroit, MI • Ann Arbor • Flint • Saginaw • Lansing • Kalamazoo • Traverse City 1 2005 2 8 3 9 4 10 7 12 11 6 5

  13. Local Partner websites provide information about local Action! Day air programs … MIair is Your air!

  14. Air Quality NotificationTab Sign-up to receive air quality &/or UV radiation forecasts SUN SAFE BEHAVIORSlink to Michigan Slip! Slop! Slap! ® resources and downloads, & Michigan Model ® sun safety lessons and classroom activities. MIair is Your air!

  15. EnviroFlash E-mails for Air Quality &/or UV Radiation Example UV message: <EnviroFlash@epamail.epa.gov > 09/07/06 8:21 PM The UV Index Query for ZIP Code: 48823 The UV Index forecast for Sunday, September 6, 2006 is: 6 Look for Ultraviolet (UV) Index descriptions on: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html Exposure Index CategoryNumberSun Protection Messages HIGH 6-7 Protection against sun damage is needed. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen SPF 15+ and wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when practical. Reduce your exposure to the sun’s most intense UV radiation by seeking shade during midday hours. Example AQI forecast message: <EnviroFlash@epamail.epa.gov> 09/07/06 1:21 PM Air quality forecast for Detroit Thursday, September 7 Particle Pollution(2.5 microns) - Moderate - YELLOW Ozone - Good - GREEN Friday, September 8 Particle Pollution(2.5 microns) - Moderate - YELLOW Ozone - Good - GREEN Saturday, September 9 Particle Pollution(2.5 microns) - Moderate - YELLOW Ozone - Good - GREEN MIair is Your air!

  16. Monitoring Data Tab Air monitors in various locations across Michigan report hourly values. Raw (not fully quality assured) data is displayed in near real-time. MIair is Your air!

  17. Note that by using the AirMonitoring tabs, you can review past data. <<<Today>>> << = one week back < = one day back > = one day forward >> = one week forward Today = takes you back to the current readings. MIair is Your air!

  18. Ozone & PM2.5 Map Tabs Select “Animate” to put the map in motion Use the “Legend” to help interpret the map. Click on a site name to see the hourly air quality measurements. MIair is Your air!

  19. Links Tab • Links quickly connect you to other useful air internet pages: • About MIair website • Michigan DEQ “Air” • Local Partner Links • Regional Resources • EPA Links • Tools MIair is Your air!

  20. LINKS: The webpage provides national and regional air information … …and other EPA links provide useful information, air data, rules, and tools in many formats. MIair is Your air!

  21. Don’t forget other DEQ Air “links”… Note…MIair is fairly specific to on-line real-time air monitoring data and information. Some air quality maps, graphs, and charts are located on other “AIR” webpages. (i.e. The 8-hour ozone summary charts and monitor maps are located on the Air Monitoring pages.) MIair is Your air!

  22. PENDING IMPROVEMENTS Upcoming Changes: • Add MIair logo to header. • Highlight the Legend. • Add the AQI logo to the Map area (over that gray Canada spot would work best), • Add the AQI health info chart and move date up to top of map. • On Monitoring Data tab lower temp range to show measurements below zero F. Add forecast map to Action day page

  23. FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS Changes: • Make ozone column go away from Oct. 1st to March 31st. -&/or- • Add all the criteria pollutants to current AQI table for just one AQI pollutant number. • Divide wind direction into quarters on air monitoring page. Down the Road:Wind direction & speed maps like in AIRNow Tech?

  24. THANK YOU Visit us at www.michigan.gov/deqair

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