Unhealthy air quality calls for first Knozone Action Day on June 12

INDIANAPOLIS— Those in central Indiana with asthma, COPD, and any other similar diagnoses should avoid spending time outdoors on Thursday due to the ground-level ozone forecast, according to the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability.

The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability is issuing the first Knozone Action Day of 2025. This is due to hot temperatures, sunny skies and light wind that will result in conditions that can cause a high ozone level.

Some of the vulnerable groups include:

• children,
• older adults
• pregnant people
• outdoor laborers
• Anyone suffering from
  • asthma
  • COPD
  • emphysema
  • heart disease

Roughly one in five Marion County community members is at a greater risk of severe symptoms due to the unhealthy air quality.

During Knozone Action Days, the air quality becomes unhealthy due to increased ground-level ozone and/or fine particles. These are the two most common pollutants in the United States.

Here is a list of some steps that the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability encourages residents to take to reduce their ground-level ozone contribution:

• Avoid vehicle idling, including when in drive-thru lanes or picking up carry-out
• Drive less: use active forms of transportation like walking or biking (utilizing Pacers Bikeshare’s IndyRides Free pass!)
• Utilize public transportation or carpool with services such as IndyGo or Commuter Connect
• Wait to refuel and use gas-powered lawn equipment until temperatures are cooler
• Combine errands to reduce the number of trips
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above
• Delay the use of garden, household, and workshop chemicals until the air has returned to healthy levels

If you would like more information about unhealthy air quality or Knozone Action Days, click here.