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PM2.5
PM2.5
Particle pollution, or particulate matter (PM), is made up of very small particles in the air including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and drops of liquid. PM particles are small enough to be breathed into the deepest parts of your lungs, and even into your bloodstream.1
Particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are referred to as PM2.5. For comparison, a strand of hair is about 70 micrometers wide.1 Sources of PM2.5 include vehicle exhaust, power plants, and factories. It is also released from forest, leaf, and grass fires, outdoor wood boilers, and tobacco smoke. These small particles are the most likely to contribute to serious health problems.2 Urban areas, communities near industrial facilities, and areas near major highways or with high levels of traffic can experience higher levels of particulate matter air pollution.2
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 data are available on the MiTracking data portal.
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Health
Scientific studies have linked breathing in PM2.5 with health conditions like1:
- Worsening of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma attacks
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Lung cancer
- Poor birth outcomes, such as low birth weight
- Death at a younger age
However, there are many other factors that may cause or worsen these conditions.
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Risk Factors
When PM 2.5 is at unhealthy levels, everyone should be concerned. Some people are more likely to be affected by PM2.5 than others. Those most likely to be harmed include3:
- People who have asthma or another lung disease .
- People with heart disease.
- Infants and children.
- Older adults.
- Active people of all ages who exercise or work outside.
For people with existing heart or lung disease, breathing unhealthy levels of PM2.5 over a short period of time, even 1-2 hours, can increase the risk of:
- Breathing problems.
- Heart attacks.
- Sudden death.4
For more information, visit CDC Air Quality (Outdoor)
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Prevention
How To Check Air Quality
- Tune in to your local TV and radio stations. Some stations provide air quality forecasts to let you know when PM2.5 levels could be harmful to your health.
- Download the EPA AIRNow app on your smart devices for current air quality conditions.
Steps To Protect Your Health2
When PM2.5 is at unhealthy levels:
- Go to AirNow for current air quality information in your area.
- Stay away from vehicle exhaust.
- Stay away from indoor and outdoor smoke.
- Stay away from tobacco smoke.
- Take it easy when you're outside. For example, walk instead of run.
- Exercise away from roads and highways, or inside. The amount of PM2.5 is usually higher near high traffic areas.
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Data - MiTracking
PM2.5 MiTracking Indicators
- Annual fine particle (PM2.5) level (monitored and modeled data)
- PM2.5 - Days above regulatory standard (monitored and modeled data)
MiTracking Data Can Tell Us
- The average annual amount of measured PM2.5.
- The percent of days with maximum 24-hour average PM2.5 levels over the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The NAAQS is the maximum amount of six air pollutants, including PM2.5, that are allowed under the Clean Air Act.
- An estimate of the number of people and the number of days people were around PM2.5 levels over the NAAQS.
MiTracking Data Cannot Tell Us
- The amount of PM2.5 at specific locations.
- The amount of PM2.5 during short periods of time.
- A specific group of people who came in contact with PM2.5.
- The amount of PM2.5 one person was around.
- Amounts of other air pollutants.
- The air quality in areas where there are no air monitors.
Find Out More
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is responsible for collecting information on air quality from air monitoring stations located across the state. EGLE provides air quality data to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which maintains these types of data from states across the country in its Air Quality System (AQS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the EPA work together to use the AQS to create the dataset. This includes developing a system for estimating air quality in counties that do not have air monitors. Data for these counties are called "modeled data."
For more data information, visit:
- About These Data (found on the data portal after a query search)
- Metadata (Technical information about the content, quality, and context of the data)
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Learn More
Asthma Initiative of Michigan (AIM)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Environmental Public Health Tracking (CDC Tracking)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools
Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJSCREEN)
Heart Healthy Toolkit and Research: Steps You Can Take
Overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution
Particulate Matter (PM) Basics
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Air Monitoring Information: Annual Air Quality Reports
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program (MICHAP)
MiTracking - Air Quality (fact sheet)
West Michigan Clean Air Coalition
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Citations
- Iowa Public Health Tracking. Air quality and health. https://tracking.idph.iowa.gov/Environment/Air-Quality/Air-Quality-and-Health. Accessed May 20, 2024.
- EPA. Air pollution: current and future challenge. https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/air-pollution-current-and-future-challenges. Accessed May 20, 2024.
- CDC. Air quality (outdoor). https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-tracking/php/data-research/air-quality-outdoor.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/topics/AirQuality.htm. Accessed May 20, 2024.
- Michigan Department of Community Health. Health consultation: outdoor wood boiler investigation Pleasant Lake, Jackson County, Michigan. 2009. Outdoor Wood Boiler Investigation - Pleasant Lake, Jackson County Michigan. 2009. Accessed May 20, 2024.