INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day for Saturday.
The forecast shows high ozone levels throughout Indiana. The following Central Indiana counties will be under the action day status.
- Marion
- Bartholomew
- Boone
- Brown
- Delaware
- Hamilton
- Hendricks
- Howard
- Madison
- Shelby
Other counties in the state under the action day status include:
- Clark
- Floyd
- Daviess
- Dubois
- Gibson
- Greene
- Knox
- Perry
- Pike
- Posey
- Spencer
- Vanderburgh
- Warrick
- Vigo
- Carroll
- Tippecanoe
The included counties are all equipped with ozone air quality monitors to track their levels, but it is advised all counties in the action status should be vigilant of the forecast.
To track the air quality information IDEM has a SmogWatch forecast.
AQADs typically occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground, according to IDEM.
IDEM said anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, people who are elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or try to avoid heavy work outdoors during the advised period.
The recommendation IDEM has for everyone during this time is to modify certain daily habits by following these suggestions:
- Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible
- Combine errands into one trip
- Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
- Keep your engine tuned, and do not let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
- Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above
The action day is in effect in the counties listed until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday.
-
Brownsburg High School Band prepares for first-ever Rose Parade appearance
More than 200 students will take the national stage in Pasadena after months of preparation and strong community support
Life Sciences company to invest $200 million, add 1,000 jobs in Fishers by 2030
INCOG, a contract manufacturing company specializing in pharmaceutical products, announced plans to invest $200 million and add 1,000 jobs by 2030.
Charges filed against man involved in Martinsville officer-involved shooting
This case stems from the incident that occurred on December 8 on Belt Lane in Martinsville. Police said they were responding to a report of a break-in.
IMPD officer charged with OVWI after arriving to work under influence
An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer has been charged with operating while intoxicated after supervisors detected alcohol on his breath when he reported for duty last week.
