Detroit Air Quality Reaches Unhealthy Levels for Sensitive Groups (AQI 131)
Areazine synthesizes this EPA air-quality advisory directly from EPA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
Air quality in Detroit, MI, has reached an AQI of 131 for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), making it Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on February 16, 2026.
What this EPA air-quality advisory tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by EPA on April 6, 2026 and geographically references Detroit, MI. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Air Quality - determines the informational context it sits in, and which agency or body is the authoritative source for updates.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are air-quality, epa, aqi, Detroit.
Current Air Quality
In Detroit, MI, the air quality index (AQI) has reached a level of 131 for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as of February 16, 2026. This reading falls into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category. Other pollutants monitored in the area include PM10, which recorded an AQI of 55 (Moderate), and Ozone (O3), which recorded an AQI of 6 (Good). PM2.5 is currently the primary pollutant of concern for the region.
What This Means
An AQI in the 101-150 range means that air quality is unhealthy for members of sensitive groups. While the general public is less likely to be affected, people with lung disease, older adults, and children are at a greater risk from exposure to particle pollution.
Who Should Take Precautions
The following groups are at increased risk and should take precautions:
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults
- Children and teenagers
- People who are active outdoors
What You Should Do
Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. It is recommended to take more breaks and engage in less intense activities when outdoors. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. The general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI level.
Source
Data provided by EPA AirNow.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
Related Air Quality
All Air Quality →Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8
Two Areazine-derived peer sets for this EPA air-quality advisory: nearest notices by body length and by same severity near the same agency date. Peers come from other categories so they are not the same-feed Related list above.
Similar body length
Nearest notices by article body length (1,286 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (low) notices issued closest in time to April 6, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.