The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an air quality alert for Indiana as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to affect the state.
Air Quality Action Days will be in effect Wednesday and Thursday for all of Indiana. Current high particulate readings exist in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Muncie. Because of north to northeast winds, this particulate matter is expected to continue traveling through Indiana, according to an IDEM news release.
Particulates and ozone levels are expected to be in the orange or ”Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range on Wednesday and Thursday. Air quality may continue to be impacted beyond Thursday, officials say.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure, according to an alert from the National Weather Service issued Wednesday afternoon.
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, according to IDEM.
Officials recommend the public consider taking the following actions to help reduce ozone-forming emissions:
- Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.
- Avoid using the drive-thru and 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.
- Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.
- Avoid burning wood in fireplaces or wood-fired boilers and any other unnecessary fires.
- Reduce activity time outdoors to reduce unhealthy exposure to particulates and avoid exercising near busy roads.
