INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day with a forecast of high ozone levels near the ground Thursday and Friday.
The alert is in effect for the following counties in central Indiana: Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby.
The Air Quality Index is forecast to be in the 101-150 range on Thursday and Friday, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are this high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion outdoors.
IDEM recommends everyone help reduce ozone by doing the following throughout the week:
- Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation
- Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip
- Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
- Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds
- Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above
IDEM examines weather patterns and issues daily air quality forecasts.
Ground-level ozone forms when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant and can cause coughing or other breathing difficulties.
To read more about the Air Quality alert, click here.
Check the latest StormTeam 6 forecast here.
