National Weather Service Issues Air Quality Alert

The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert for Monday covering southeast Michigan, with sunny skies and searing temperatures in the forecast for the beginning of the week.

People and businesses are urged to avoid activities that lead to the formation of ozone, including:

• refueling vehicles or equipment.
• using gasoline-powered lawn equipment.
• using charcoal lighter fluid.

"Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. Depending on where it is in the atmosphere, ozone affects life on Earth in either good or bad ways," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website. "Tropospheric, or ground-level, ozone forms primarily from reactions between two major classes of air pollutants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These reactions depend on the presence of heat and sunlight, meaning more ozone forms in the summer months. ... Ozone contributes to what we typically experience as 'smog' or haze.

"Ozone has two properties of interest to human health," the EPA says. "First, it absorbs UV light, reducing human exposure to harmful UV radiation that causes skin cancer and cataracts. Second, when inhaled, it reacts chemically with many biological molecules in the respiratory tract, leading to a number of adverse health effects."

Positive steps people can take during air quality alerts include the following, according to the NWS:

• car pooling.
• delaying or combining errands.
• using water-based paints.
• limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

The NWS predicts Monday will be sunny with a high of 93 degrees and Tuesday even hotter, with a high of 100 degrees and more sun in the forecast for Berkley and Huntington Woods.

The forecasting agency urges those who must spend time outside to take the following precautions:

• Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
• Wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

"Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location," the forecasting agency advises. "Heat stroke is an emergency – call 911."

Thunderstorms are possible Tuesday night and temperatures are expected to cool into the mid-80s for the rest of the work week, the NWS says.