IDEM Issues Air Quality Alert for Southeast Indiana

An increase in temperatures and ongoing Canadian wildfires are the cause.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is forecasting high ozone levels today due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires.

An Air Quality Action Day has been issued as air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) level.

Among the regions listed under the Air Quality Action Day is Southeast Indiana. The Town of Versailles was specifically mentioned, followed by all other cities within the area.

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 using gas-powered equipment.
• 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 PM2.5 and ozone, or to sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.