Air quality alert in place for several Michigan counties: How to help

Ozone season is upon us, and with an air quality alert in place for several Michigan counties, state officials are calling residents to action Tuesday and Wednesday.

Residents are encouraged to skip the gas station and postpone any barbeques planned for Tuesday or Wednesday until air quality conditions improve in St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe counties. Pollutants are expected to be in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are some do's and don'ts for you to do your part in helping the environment.

What is ozone?

Ozone is a man-made form of oxygen. When hot summer temperatures combine with pollutants, high levels of ozone accumulate on the ground level. The gas is highly reactive, which can be problematic for sensitive groups on days where levels are higher than usual. 

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Who is especially vulnerable to its effects?

The high ozone levels cause harmful health effects for those with respiratory issues. It is highly encouraged for children, elderly and individuals with respiratory diseases to remain indoors. 

NWS recommends that active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

What should I do?

Here are ways to help combat high-level ozone days:

• Drive less: Bike, walk, or use public transport
• Combine trips: Visit the grocery store on your way home from work, instead of making two separate trips
• Refill your fuel tank after sunset
• Wait to mow the lawn
• Avoid the idle: Turn off your engine 
• Use water based paints 
• Reduce electricity use: Turn off lights when not in use

A collective effort to lower emissions on these action days — and every other day — could reduce the concentration of ozone, making it possible to spend the rest of the summer breathing in the fresh air.

Free Press reporter Miriam Marini contributed to this report.