DETROIT – Air quality was forecast to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Monday across Metro Detroit.

Pollutants were expected to combine with hot temperatures to create “bad” ozone across Metro Detroit by the afternoon. High temperatures were forecast to reach the mid-90s on Monday, June 17, and will feel even warmer because of the humidity.

An air quality alert, also known as an “ozone action day,” was issued for Monday in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The air quality index, known as the AQI, was expected to enter the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range, which is between a 101-150 AQI. An AQI above 300 is considered hazardous.

At this range, most people won’t be affected by the poorer air quality.

However, those in “sensitive groups” — such as young children, older adults, or those with asthma or other respiratory issues — may be impacted by breathing in the air, especially over a long period of time. They’re encouraged to reduce exposure to the ozone by “choosing less strenuous activities” or spending less time outside.

The “ozone action day” title is also meant to encourage people to avoid activities that can lead to ozone formation, including refueling vehicles, using gas-powered lawn equipment, and using charcoal lighter fluid.

“At the earth’s surface, ozone comes into direct contact with life-forms and displays its destructive side (hence, it is often called ‘bad ozone’),” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. “Because ozone reacts strongly with other molecules, high levels of ozone are toxic to living systems.”

Officials say the bad ozone may continue to affect Southeast Michigan for the next few days, at least.

“With winds at all levels of the atmosphere coming from the hot southwest, Air Quality will certainly be an issue, this week,” according to AirNow.gov, a federal platform created through a partnership with the EPA, CDC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and more.

—> Heat wave hits Metro Detroit this week: What to know

What causes “bad” ozone?

“Bad” ozone is found at ground level. In cities, it’s made when emissions from vehicles, power plants, chemical plants, and other sources react with heat and sunlight. The hotter the day and the stronger the sun, the more ozone is formed. That’s why ozone is usually worst on windless, hot summer afternoons. High levels of ozone are mainly a concern for people from April 1–September 30.

You’re most likely to find high levels of “bad” ozone in urban areas. You might hear it called “smog.” However, other areas can also have high ozone levels when winds blow pollution hundreds of miles from their original sources.

How does “bad” ozone affect people?

Even at low levels, breathing ozone can cause chest pains, coughing, and throat irritation. It can also aggravate lung diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. The more ozone pollution a person breathes, the more permanent damage it can do to her lungs.

Because it usually forms in hot weather, anyone who spends time outdoors in the summer may be affected – children, older people, outdoor workers, and people exercising may be particularly susceptible. The higher the ozone level, the more people who will experience health symptoms. Millions of Americans live in areas where ozone levels are higher than the national health standards, and should pay attention to ozone levels when the weather is hot and sunny.

Staying safe amid air quality alert

Follow these simple tips to stay safe when there is an air quality alert:

• Stay inside if possible, particularly if you have respiratory concerns or other health problems, are a senior or child.

• If you must go out, try to limit the amount of time you are out to strictly essential activities.

• Minimize your use of items that increase pollution, such as cars, gas powered lawn mowers and other vehicles.

• Do not burn debris or other items during an air quality alert.

• Take the bus, carpool, telecommute, bike, or walk. You’ll reduce traffic congestion and air pollution as well as save money.

• If you plan to barbecue, use an electric starter or charcoal chimney instead of lighter fluid. Fumes from the fluid contribute to ozone formation.

• Avoid drive-thru facilities or other situations where your vehicle idles for an extended period of time. You’ll save money on gas and reduce pollution.

Who is most at risk?

Several groups of people are particularly sensitive to ozone, especially when they are active outdoors. This is because ozone levels are higher outdoors, and physical activity causes faster and deeper breathing, drawing more ozone into the body.

• People with lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, can be particularly sensitive to ozone. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Ozone can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital admissions.

• Children, including teenagers, are at higher risk from ozone exposure because they often play outdoors in warmer weather when ozone levels are higher, they are more likely to have asthma (which may be aggravated by ozone exposure), and their lungs are still developing.

• Older adults may be more affected by ozone exposure, possibly because they are more likely to have pre-existing lung disease.

• Active people of all ages who exercise or work vigorously outdoors are at increased risk.

• Some healthy people are more sensitive to ozone. They may experience health effects at lower ozone levels than the average person even though they have none of the risk factors listed above. There may be a genetic basis for this increased sensitivity.

In general, as concentrations of ground-level ozone increase, more people begin to experience more serious health effects. When levels are very high, everyone should be concerned about ozone exposure.

What are the health effects?

Ozone affects the lungs and respiratory system in many ways. It can:

• Irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, throat soreness, airway irritation, chest tightness, or chest pain when taking a deep breath.

• Reduce lung function, making it more difficult to breathe as deeply and vigorously as you normally would, especially when exercising. Breathing may start to feel uncomfortable, and you may notice that you are taking more rapid and shallow breaths than normal.

The risk of exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone is greatest during warmer months. Children, who often play outdoors in warmer weather, are at higher risk.

• Inflame and damage the cells that line the lungs. Within a few days, the damaged cells are replaced and the old cells are shed—much like the way your skin peels after sunburn. Studies suggest that if this type of inflammation happens repeatedly, lung tissue may become permanently scarred and lung function may be permanently reduced.

• Make the lungs more susceptible to infection. Ozone reduces the lung’s defenses by damaging the cells that move particles and bacteria out of the airways and by reducing the number and effectiveness of white blood cells in the lungs.

• Aggravate asthma. When ozone levels are unhealthy, more people with asthma have symptoms that require a doctor’s attention or the use of medication. Ozone makes people more sensitive to allergens—the most common triggers for asthma attacks. Also, asthmatics may be more severely affected by reduced lung function and airway inflammation. People with asthma should ask their doctor for an asthma action plan and follow it carefully when ozone levels are unhealthy.

• Aggravate other chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis. As concentrations of ground-level ozone increase, more people with lung disease visit doctors or emergency rooms and are admitted to the hospital.

• Cause permanent lung damage. Repeated short-term ozone damage to children’s developing lungs may lead to reduced lung function in adulthood. In adults, ozone exposure may accelerate the natural decline in lung function that occurs with age.

Sources: AQI, NWS, EPA, SEMCOG.

It’s almost time for the Milwaukee Bucks to begin retooling their roster.

Whether it’s through trade, free agency or the draft, the team will have options to patch some of their significant holes. As talked about ad nauseam, their prominent needs include athleticism, youth and defense above all else. To inject those attributes into this roster, there is a common last name shared between two players who should be on Milwaukee’s radar: Dunn.

Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn are two incredibly different players, but they could both help the Bucks.

Kris Dunn, who is 30 and an eight-year NBA veteran, just had a bit of a resurgence with the Utah Jazz this past season after bouncing around over the prior few years. Playing 66 contests, the most since his rookie campaign, Dunn gave the Jazz excellent defense, facilitating and perimeter shooting.

If the Milwaukee Bucks lose Patrick Beverley, which remains a legitimate possibility, they will need a replacement in the backcourt, and Dunn would fit in perfectly. Dunn is among the more underrated defenders at the guard position in the entire NBA, having flirted with All-Defensive selections in recent years.

He could instantly slide into the backup point guard role behind Damian Lillard, allowing the star to catch his breath when called upon. If the Bucks could snag him on a “prove-it deal” as they did with Malik Beasley last off-season, allowing the guard to showcase his skills on a contender in hopes of earning a raise the following off-season, this could be a great move for Milwaukee.

According to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks actually did do homework on Dunn before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, so they are familiar with what he brings. That interest should be reignited this off-season if they are in the market for a new defensive-minded point guard who can also make plays on the offensive end.

As for Ryan Dunn, he just finished up a two-year collegiate career at Virginia and will now wait to hear his name called in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. The Bucks have worked out the power forward in recent days, and understandably so, as there’s a lot to like about what he could bring to this roster.

The 6-foot-8 forward/guard is among the best defenders in this draft, boasting impressive athleticism and versatility that make him a nightmare for opponents. This past season at Virginia, he averaged an astounding 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per matchup, constantly making eye-popping plays. Could the Milwaukee Bucks use a player like this? Absolutely.

The 21-year-old would give Milwaukee the defensive playmaker they have been desperately seeking, taking on players of all shapes and sizes. Due to his height, length and athleticism, it would be much more difficult for opponents to target him, something opposing players have done constantly with Milwaukee’s shorter, more unathletic wing defenders in recent memory.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler and other top-notch forwards will not be going anywhere anytime soon, and the Bucks need to find their answer defensively. At 21, it might take time for Dunn to grow into the role, but he has all of the physical tools to thrive.

Despite being arguably the best defender in the entire draft, the big reason some are scared off by Dunn is his offense. He averaged 8.1 points while shooting 20 percent from three and 53.2 percent from the free throw line this past season. Those numbers are certainly nothing to write home about, as he doesn’t have much of a repertoire on that side of the floor.

Yet, on a team with electric scorers like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, offense shouldn’t be Milwaukee’s primary concern. If they can land an elite defensive playmaker who doesn’t make much of an impact offensively, that’s a solid trade-off, given the team’s major needs on defense.

There’s a lot to like about what both Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn could bring to the table in Milwaukee, and it all starts on the defensive side of the ball. They could knock out several items on the to-do list, including adding more youth, defense and athleticism, among many other eye-catching things.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.