For Friday, June 9, 2023

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1 – Air Quality Awareness Week was in May, but June is an appropriate month too. 

Drifting smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, has contributed to air quality health alerts this week in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region. 

You can check the air quality in your area in several ways. One is online at AirNow.gov. 

There, you can enter your ZIP code, city or state for information. 

Bay City’s air quality earlier this week was in the red category, meaning it was “unhealthy” due to fine particulate matter. 

That pollutant, known as PM 2.5, is bad because it’s made up of particles so small they can be inhaled into your lungs and cause serious health problems. 

When the air quality is bad, you are advised to keep outdoor activities light and short. And to go indoors if you have symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose or throat and shortness of breath. 

There’s also info from the state at DEQmiAir.org. An Air Quality Day Action Day Advisory was in effect earlier this week (Wednesday and Thursday) for counties including Bay, Saginaw and Midland. 

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2 – Michigan’s Great Lakes have made a troubling list. 

It’s from water scientists with BlueGreen Water Technologies, a global company that specializes in water treatment. 

The “Top 10 Troubled Lakes to Watch This Toxic Algae Season” include Lake Erie, Lake Michigan’s Green Bay and Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. 

BlueGreen notes that western Lake Erie experiences the most outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae in the Great Lakes. The 2022 Erie algae season was worse than scientists predicted. 

This summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a moderate harmful algae season for Erie, reaching between 2 to 6 on the severity index.

A level of 5 or above can pose risks to drinking water.

There’s a federal forecast and tracker tool for harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie; monitoring also is done in Saginaw Bay. 

Other troubled lakes on the list include spots in Idaho, California, Kansas, Florida, Texas and Vermont. 

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3 – May 20 marked one year since a powerful tornado struck Gaylord. Community groups and more than 100 volunteers got together a day before the anniversary to plant trees. 

A total of 110 trees were planted on private and public property. 

Another 30 trees and shrubs were given to area landowners impacted by the tornado.

The nonprofit Huron Pines helped organize the event. 

The group says the project restores the city’s tree canopy, increases climate resiliency, and adds shade and beauty back to public spaces and homes. 

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– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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