Detroit Is One of the Most Polluted Cities on Earth Right Now
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Detroit has logged one of the worst air qualities of any city in the world, surpassing other international urban hubs as pollution levels spike due to wildfires across the border in Canada.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has continued to drift over the Midwest, blanketing the region with haze and poor air quality, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue alerts across several states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The increased concentration of airborne fine particulate matter, PM2.5, from wildfires can worsen respiratory and heart conditions, making sensitive groups particularly vulnerable, especially people with asthma, heart disease or other preexisting respiratory conditions.
Air quality alerts have been in place for a couple of days, with individual National Weather Service offices previously reporting unhealthy conditions. Earlier this week, wildfire smoke from Canada was so thick over Chicago that the city recorded the worst air quality in the world.
The Detroit skyline as seen from Sunset Point on March 24, 2020.
The Detroit skyline as seen from Sunset Point on March 24, 2020.
Getty Images
What To Know
On the World Quality Air Index, which measures global pollution, Detroit saw a sharp spike as ash and other particulates drifted over the border from Canada.
At the time of writing, Detroit ranks third in the entire world, behind Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Toronto, which is also being affected by the Canadian wildfires.
The current rankings indicate that Detroit is more polluted than Kolkata, one of India's largest cities, and every other city in the United States.
The Air Index assigned Detroit an air quality score of 155, making it one of only five cities in the world currently considered "unhealthy" to be in.
Across the eight affected states, the NWS warned that when pollution levels are elevated, people should "consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects."
In addition to limiting outdoor physical activity, the agency has urged people and businesses to "avoid activities which lead to ozone formation," listing out activities like refueling vehicles or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said that "high pressure settling overhead will limit dispersion and keep smoke at the surface through today."
What People Are Saying
Matt Taraldsen, a meteorologist at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, told The New York Times earlier this week: "This is the first time that we've had a weeklong worth of alerts across the entire state. Especially at levels that weren't just unhealthy for sensitive groups, at levels that are unhealthy for everyone."
AccuWeather wrote in a Friday X post: "Wildfire smoke from Canada smothered Chicago yesterday, giving the city the worst air quality in the world for several hours and blanketing the skyline in haze."
What Happens Next
The smoke is expected to continue to impact the region throughout the weekend, with some alerts until Saturday afternoon and others until Monday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
5 minutes ago
- NBC News
Millions are under air quality alerts as wildfire smoke blankets large swaths of U.S.
Millions of people across the Upper Midwest and the Northeast are under air quality alerts Monday, as smoke from wildfires in Canada drift over the region. Hazy skies are expected in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware and Maine, according to the National Weather Service. Almost 200 wildfires are burning out of control in Canada, including 81 in Saskatchewan, 159 in Manitoba and 61 in Ontario. Figures from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center indicate that more than 16.5 million acres have been scorched so far this year in what will likely be the country's second-worst wildfire season on record. A high-pressure system parked over the Midwest is trapping the smoke in place, causing air quality issues to linger for several days, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The air quality index Monday across 14 states in the Midwest and the Northeast ranged from 'moderate' to 'unhealthy' for the general public. Wildfire smoke is of particular concern because it contains small particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter — around 4% of the diameter of an average strand of human hair. This type of air pollution is dangerous because the particles are small enough to reach deep inside the lungs, which can exacerbate or increase the risk of asthma, lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can also cause inflammation and weaken the immune system. Infants, children, seniors and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to unhealthy air quality conditions. Studies have shown that climate change is fueling conditions for more frequent and intense wildfires. Warmer temperatures can dry out vegetation, which can increase the likelihood of wildfires igniting and spreading rapidly. Cities affected by poor air quality Monday include Milwaukee; Detroit; Buffalo and Albany in New York; Boston and New York City. Many alerts will remain in effect through Tuesday, according to the weather service. In the West, several wildfires are causing separate air quality issues in the region. More than 65,000 acres have been scorched in California's Los Padres National Forest, where hot and dry conditions have fanned the growth of the Gifford Fire. In Colorado, the air quality index showed "moderate" readings Monday across large swaths. 'If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors,' the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in its advisory. 'This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present.'
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where Red-Flag Fire Warnings in Effect
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Five states are under red-flag fire warnings amid conditions that could cause "extreme fire behavior," according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Why It Matters Red-flag warnings are issued when weather conditions could cause wildfires that could endanger lives or property. The western region of the United States has been in a decades-long drought that has fueled historic wildfires in recent years. For instance, fires in southern California led to dozens of deaths and the destruction of structures near Los Angeles this year. What To Know The NWS on Monday implemented a red-flag warning across parts of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming amid concerns that strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures could lead to fires across those states. It spans most of Utah, the westernmost areas of Colorado, southwest Wyoming, southeast Idaho and parts of central and northern Nevada. In Utah, southwesterly winds with gusts of up to 35 mph, along with relative humidities as low as 5-14 percent, could create critical fire conditions this week. Areas in central and northern Nevada has a moderate fire risk due to sustained southwest winds nearing 15 mph, with gusts nearing 25 mph, and relative humidity values as low as 5 percent. Some areas in central Nevada are under a Fire Weather Watch, which the NWS issues when there is a combination of dry fuels and weather conditions that could lead to extreme fire danger. During a red-flag warning, residents are urged to avoid risky behavior like campfires or other open flames, smoking or setting off fireworks. The NWS also urges residents to have an evacuation plan, ensure they have a go kit ready in case of an emergency and listen to their local officials for evacuation updates. Firefighters battle a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7, 2025. Firefighters battle a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7, 2025. DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying The Salt Lake City branch of the NWS, Sunday on X: "Southwesterly winds with gusts to 35 mph will combine with low RH to create critical fire weather conditions on Monday for most of central, southern, and portions of northern Utah. These conditions will persist through Wednesday for portions of central and southern Utah." The Elko, Nevada, branch of the NWS, Monday on X: "There is an elevated risk of wildfires in most of Northern and Central Nevada from 11 AM this morning until 10 PM this evening. The combination of critically dry fuels, very low relative humidity values, and gusty southwest winds can contribute to extreme fire behavior." What Happens Next The conditions could continue through Wednesday, according to the NWS. The warning is in effect until 9 p.m. MT on Wednesday for some areas near Salt Lake City.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Hurricane Map Shows Chances of New Tropical Storm Developing Near US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. National Hurricane Center (NHC) meteorologists are monitoring a disturbance near the South Carolina and Georgia coastlines this week as the Atlantic hurricane season begins to take off. Newsweek reached out to the NHC by email for comment. Why It Matters The new disturbance comes as Tropical Storm Dexter became the fourth named storm for the Atlantic hurricane season on Sunday. The season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. July was relatively quiet for the Atlantic, with no named storms forming after Tropical Storm Chantal hit the East Coast in early July. Now, in addition to Dexter, the NHC is monitoring two other disturbances in the Atlantic, one of which could develop near the Southeast U.S. coastline. What To Know As of the most recent forecast on Monday, the new disturbance has a 30 percent chance of strengthening into a tropical system within the next seven days. There's a zero percent chance it will do so in the next 48 hours. Chances it will form are considered low by the NHC. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows the area in yellow as having a 30 percent chance of development in the next seven days. A map from the National Hurricane Center shows the area in yellow as having a 30 percent chance of development in the next seven days. National Hurricane Center Although it is too early to determine a potential path if it takes shape, NHC meteorologists said the system is expected to drift west or northwest as the week progresses, which would bring it closer to the U.S. shore. If it forms, it could become Tropical Storm Erin, the fifth named storm of the season. However, the NHC also is monitoring a tropical wave off the western coast of Africa that has a greater chance of development. There's a chance that system could form first, becoming Erin. Then, if the system closer to the U.S. forms, it would be named Fernand. Weather experts have issued repeated warnings this summer that peak Atlantic hurricane season doesn't typically hit until September, urging people to take precautionary action, such as stocking up on emergency supplies and ensuring they have proper insurance in place, before a storm forms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting from 13 to 19 named storms for this year's Atlantic hurricane season, with six to 10 strengthening into hurricanes and three to five into major hurricanes. What People Are Saying NHC forecast regarding the system near the Southeastern U.S.: "A broad area of low pressure is forecast to develop in a couple of days a few hundred miles off the coast of the southeastern United States. Some gradual development of this system is possible during the middle or latter portion of this week as the system drifts slowly westward to northwestward." National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tampa, Florida, in a post on Facebook on Monday: "NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center has initiated advisories for Tropical Storm #Dexter. This storm poses no threat to the region. Additionally, there are other tropical disturbances that we are monitoring, with no immediate concerns beyond heavy rainfall later this week." What Happens Next NHC meteorologists will continue to monitor the system as it progresses. As of the most recent forecast, there were no warnings or watches in place for the Southeast coast.
