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Mixed Results for Berrien Air Quality

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Berrien County’s proximity to the steel mills of Northwest Indiana and other heavy industrial markets along the shores of Lake Michigan continues to impact the quality of the air we breathe in Michigan’s Great Southwest. The American Lung Association has released today its “State of the Air 2016” report, and while they share no narrative comment regarding our immediate area, they have assigned letter grades to several measures here and term the results to be “mixed” for all of Michigan.

The Detroit Metropolitan Area reduced its ozone pollution (smog) and improved its ranking to 44th most polluted area in the nation. However, the Detroit metro area had higher (worse) levels than ever for year-round particle pollution (soot) and ranked as the 20th most polluted metro area in the nation for year-round particle pollution. The Metro Detroit area had slightly fewer days with unhealthy particle pollution. It ranked tied for 31st most polluted for short-term levels of particle pollution.

The Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area reduced its average number of days with unhealthy ozone levels but still remains tied for 18th most polluted for ozone in the nation. The Grand Rapids metro area had zero unhealthy days for short-term particle pollution and slightly worsened its year-round particles levels. It ranked as one of the cleanest cities for short-term particles and tied for 73rd for year-long particles.

Each year the “State of the Air” reports on the two most widespread outdoor air pollutants, ozone pollution and particle pollution. The report analyzes particle pollution in two ways: through average annual particle pollution levels and short-term spikes in particle pollution. Both ozone and particle pollution are dangerous to public health and can be lethal.

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Ozone (smog) is the most widespread air pollutant, created by the reaction of sunlight on emissions from vehicles and other sources. When ozone is inhaled, it irritates the lungs, like a bad sunburn. It can cause immediate health problems and continue days later. Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks and premature death.

Particle pollution levels can spike dangerously for hours to weeks on end (short-term) or remain at unhealthy levels on average every day (year-round). Particle pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, leading to premature deaths, asthma attacks and heart attacks, as well as lung cancer.

Therese Smith, BSN, MS, CCM is Chair of the American Lung Association in Michigan’s Regional Leadership Council for Metro Detroit. She says, “The 2016 ‘State of the Air’ report finds unhealthful levels of ozone all across Michigan, putting citizens at risk for premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma attacks and cardiovascular harm.” She adds, “Across the nation, the report found continued improvement in air quality, but more than half of the people of the United States live in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution.”

Mistie Bowers is Chair of the organizations Leadership Council for outstate Michigan. She says, “If we can do more to save lives-we should, and we can.” She says, “The Lung Association in Michigan calls on Governor Rick Snyder to resume the implementation of the Clean Power Plan to reduce harmful emissions from power plants that worsen climate change and immediately harm health.”

Seven counties in Michigan saw their grades change in this year’s report. Chippewa, Ingham, and Missaukee Counties saw a worsening of their grade for ozone pollution. Genesee, Kalamazoo, and St. Clair Counties saw a worsening of their grade for short-term particle pollution, while Wayne County improved its grade.

You can take a look at the full Michigan report break-out, including all of the grades by clicking this link:

You can see the American Lung Association’s full report for the entire nation by clicking this link:

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