INDIANA – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for today and tomorrow, Friday, August 4, for Central/East Central Indiana. An AQAD is also being issued for Southeast Indiana for Friday only. Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level.
IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a stagnant weather pattern across the area and the continued influence of air from the Canadian wildfires in the following regions:
- Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond, and all other cities within the area. (Thursday and Friday)
- Southeast Indiana, including the cities of Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles, and all other cities within the area. (Friday only)
A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov.
IDEM forecasts are based, solely or in part, on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the affected region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov.
Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules.
Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24 hours) on the specified date.
IDEM encourages everyone to help improve air quality by making changes to daily habits on Air Quality Action Days. You can:
- Carpool or use public transportation.
- Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
- Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
- Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gas-powered equipment until after 7 p.m.
- Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
- Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
- Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.
About Ozone:
Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations.
Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.
IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, or lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.
To learn more about ozone, or to sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.
About IDEM
IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs, and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.
