# Presentation: 598383

## Outreach

**Outreach**
**TOOLS**
**Laura J. DeGuire**
**Michigan DEQ Air Quality Division**

## Air “measurements” in Michigan usually show pretty good air quality... but are not always where they need to be to protect everyone’s health when “hammered” by an air episode.

- Air “measurements” in Michigan usually show pretty good air quality... but are not always where they need to be to protect everyone’s health when “hammered” by an air episode.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

**Notes:**
IS AIR QUALITY GETTING WORSE?:  
No, Actually it is improving.  We understand the health effects of air pollution better ... and that it’s not yet clean enough to protect everyone.  

Research clearly indicates that children [whose lungs are still developing], people with heart or lung disease [such as asthma], and older adults [because they are more at risk for heart disease]are affected by air pollution at lower concentrations than the general public is. 

**Enviro****Flash** is an Air Quality Index (        ) tool that automatically sends a forecast notice to subscribers at health levels they select.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## EnviroFlash “Protects”

- The benefit is to communicate potential air quality concerns in a timely manner ... especially to protect the health of sensitive groups such as children, asthmatics, people with heart disease, & people that work/exercise strenuously outdoors.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## Why Michigan Participates

- Despite budget and staff “cuts”,** ****Enviro****Flash** has allowed the DEQ  to get timely air information directly   to the public at low cost!

**  ****DEQ staff time is minimal**
**  ****State program expense low**

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

**Notes:**

DEQ time is forecasts and state program administration.
Computer program development and operational costs covered by US EPA.

## “Building” on Ozone Action! 

- “Building” on *Ozone Action!*

*Ozone Action!* is Michigan’s most successful air outreach program.
- The **Enviro****Flash** message adds the convenience of receiving automated information at self-selected levels.  Each ozone message also includes an *Action!* day notice, thus “builds” onto an existing, well known program.
- Clean Air Coalitions reported that summer 2005 was “super easy” because the *Action!* notice was delivered via **Enviro****Flash**.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## Urging “Caution”

- When people know the daily AQI color forecast, they can make choices to reduce their exposure _and_ to reduce air emissions.  They can:
**PROTECT HEALTH** by reducing strenuous/prolonged exertion when poor air quality is expected.
**TAKE *****ACTION! *** to reduce air pollution levels by driving less,     using energy efficient products,      and by opting not to burn.** **

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## Here’s the “Drill” MI Forecast Cities

- Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland
- Kalamazoo
- Ann Arbor
- Detroit
- Lansing
- Flint
- Saginaw
- Traverse City

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

**Notes:**
Reaches about 80% of Michigan’s population.

- Choose Your Color -
- Example Notifications

**TEXT MESSAGE:**

**E-MAIL MESSAGE:**

**Message From: **
**epacdx@csc.com (Air quality**
**Forecast for Detroit):**
**Detroit: **
**Wednesday February 2 forecast for Particle  Pollution (2.5  microns) is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.**** **

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

**Notes:**
Examples of messages:
Actual e-mail and copy of text phone message.

## Most People 

- Most People
- “ Pick” Orange

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

**Notes:**
2004-05
Good - 10%  
Moderate 13%
USG - 74%
Unhealthy - 2%
Very Unhealthy - < 1%
Hazardous - 1%
Action Day Only - <1 %

2005-06     Number of participants increased by 15%.
Good - 10%  
Moderate 11%
USG - 75%
Unhealthy - 2%
Very Unhealthy - < 1%
Hazardous - 1%
Action Day Only - <1 % 
    * Note Calc. breakdown shows no significant % change in 06

## MONITOR VALUES DON’T ALWAYS MATCH FORECAST:     Forecasts are based on expected values for regional monitors, not source-impacted monitors. 

FEW BAD AIR DAYS TO TEST:  The program is still not well tested during periods of elevated pollution levels.

“HUH?” FACTOR:  Public confused between the AQI forecasts and actual monitor data; and between NAAQS (federal health standards) and the AQI  daily health indicator.

MAP DATA ERRORS: Since the                               AQI shows raw data not yet                                quality assured, a “bad” value                                  is occasionally displayed.   

- MONITOR VALUES DON’T ALWAYS MATCH FORECAST:     Forecasts are based on expected values for _regional_ monitors, not source-impacted monitors.
- FEW BAD AIR DAYS TO TEST:  The program is still not well tested during periods of elevated pollution levels.
- “HUH?” FACTOR:  Public confused between the AQI forecasts and actual monitor data; _and_ between NAAQS (federal health standards) and the AQI  daily health indicator.
- MAP DATA ERRORS: Since the                               AQI shows raw data not yet                                quality assured, a “bad” value                                  is occasionally displayed.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## MESSAGE CLARIFICATION IS NEEDED.  GOT TO STRESS:

What Actions! reduce air emissions and what Actions! protect health.
Ensure that the health message is to reduce exertion, not don’t exercise.  i.e., “When air is unhealthy try    a light jog instead of a run; rotate players frequently in sports/games, etc.” 

- MESSAGE CLARIFICATION IS NEEDED.  GOT TO STRESS:
- What *Actions!* reduce air emissions *and* what *Actions!* protect health.
- Ensure that the health message is to reduce exertion, not don’t exercise.  i.e., “*When air is unhealthy try    a light jog instead of a run; rotate players frequently in sports/games, etc*.”

- Reduce prolonged physical exertion when air quality is poor.  Follow the AQI health guidelines.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## The “Wrenching” Truth

- Sadly, much of Michigan is:
- Not familiar with the AQI, nor the difference between the NAAQS (federal air standards) and the daily AQI health indicator.
- Not enrolled.  Sign ups have not increased as we have wanted.  More rigorous marketing is needed.
- Experiencing DEQ air monitoring     challenges ... with the web display            and with confusing news stories             about air quality.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

## EF article was published in Michigan AARP newsletter.
EF is part of state’s asthma strategic plan. 
EF is part of the new MEECS AIR curriculum.
Additional DEQ press releases and                        news items are planned.
Promote the AQI and EF with every                      news reporter contact.
Outreach to schools for recess and                      sports programs.
Continue to work with local health            departments, community groups,                          local clean air coalitions, tribes and                      other organizations to multiply the                  message across the state.

**E****F** article was published in Michigan AARP newsletter.
**E****F** is part of state’s asthma strategic plan.
**E****F** is part of the new MEECS AIR curriculum.
- Additional DEQ press releases and                        news items are planned.
- Promote the AQI and **E****F** with every                      news reporter contact.
- Outreach to schools for recess and                      sports programs.
- Continue to work with local health            departments, community groups,                          local clean air coalitions, tribes and                      other organizations to multiply the                  message across the state.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

- THANK YOU

- “Axing” For Help
- To Grow EnviroFlash

- The sole purpose of **Enviro****Flash **is to provide information that helps people make good choices when air quality is expected to be poor.  MDEQ needs to better engage partner agencies to help market the program.
- Constructive ideas how we can improve             to provide better information are welcome.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program

- For more information about the Michigan EnviroFlash Program,  go to _[www.michigan.gov/deqair](http://www.michigan.gov/deqair)_ and click on the         icon.

- The Michigan EnviroFlash Program is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

- 2006 EnviroFlash Program