Air Quality Alert Issued for Area Thursday

An air quality alert action day has been issued for Thursday, meaning elevated levels of pollutants are expected, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

High pressure east of the state will produce a southerly wind flow which will bring in warmer surface and upper level temperatures into Thursday. This combined with plenty of sunshine will allow pollutant levels to increase over the next few days. According to a Michigan EnviroFlash issued Wednesday, the air quality and ozone could affect people lung disease, older adults and children.

The alert has been issued for most of Southeast Michigan, including Saline.

"People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone formation," according to the alert.

These activities include:

• Refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling
• Using gasoline-powered lawn equipment
• Using charcoal lighting fluid

Instead, it is encouraged that people car pool, bike to work and delay or combine errands when possible.

"It is recommended that active children and adults and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma limit prolonged outdoor exertion," according to the alert.