INDIANA—The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for the Central/East Central region of Indiana from 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, through 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Levels of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas overnight:
- Central/East Central Indiana, including Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond, and all other cities.
This notice is for a short-term, isolated event that may not exceed the 24-hour standard for PM2.5.
IDEM is preliminarily forecasting elevated levels of PM2.5 in the air overnight due to a very stable/stagnant air mass,. If combined with low levels of transported smoke, in addition to residents burning leaves or other debris, this could increase the likelihood of a buildup of PM2.5, particularly in urban areas.
PM2.5 comprises microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be quickly exhaled. Those at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM2.5 exposure or shorter-term dangers from exposure to pollutants from a large smoke release.
Additional information about how smoke from fires can affect your health is available on the U.S. EPA’s website: epa.gov/pm-pollution/how-smoke-fires-can-affect-your-health.
To read IDEM’s fact sheet on recommended actions, learn more about PM2.5 or sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.
