INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is forecasting high ozone levels for Sunday, July 5 in the following central Indiana counties:
- Marion
- Bartholomew
- Boone
- Brown
- Delaware
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hendricks
- Johnson
- Madison
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Shelby
According to IDEM, ground-level ozone is formed when "sunlight and hot weather combines 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."
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 encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits by:
- 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.
- Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
- Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above
The most recent air quality alert by IDEM was issued for Friday, July 3.
