Urgent Action Needed to Combat Detroit’s Ongoing Air Quality Crisis

Detroit’s air quality crisis is worsening, and it’s time to face the harsh reality. Following the Fourth of July celebrations, the air quality in Detroit was labeled as “very unhealthy,” with government monitors showing levels that pose serious risks to vulnerable groups like children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. But let’s be real: the issue didn’t start with the fireworks. It’s been brewing since the onset of the humid, harsh heat we’ve been experiencing, and the problem has only been exacerbated since the Canadian wildfires last year. The city has yet to recover. On Friday morning, Detroit’s air quality reading hit a staggering 214 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale, which ranges from zero to 500. To put this into perspective, the Los Angeles area, notorious for its air pollution, recorded a slightly worse AQI of 227. An AQI of 214 is deemed “very unhealthy,” meaning that not only should vulnerable groups stay indoors, but even healthy individuals should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Jill Greenberg from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy explained that the calm weather on Thursday night and Friday morning trapped the haze from the fireworks, leaving it to hang over...