Air Quality Action Day for 3 Indiana regions

INDIANAPOLIS – Three regions across the state are under an Air Quality Action Day from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Here are the affected regions:

• Southeast Indiana: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area
• Central/East Central Indiana: Bloomington,
  Sponsored
  Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.

Unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity, sunny skies and light wildfire smoke are contributing to elevated ozone levels, the agency said.

IDEM said ozone levels are in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range for Wednesday. That’s the “orange” level of alert, third on the six-level scale.

It means people in sensitive groups—such as those who suffer from certain respiratory conditions—could experience health effects. They’re urged to stay inside and avoid heavy outdoor work.

IDEM encourages people to carpool and consider alternative forms of transportation. Don’t refuel until after 7 p.m. and avoid idling your vehicle. Also consider setting your home thermostat a little higher to conserve energy.

The Air Quality Action Day remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Learn more here.