Air quality alert for Southern Indiana issued for Sunday, ozone may reach unhealthy levels

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Ozone pollution could reach unhealthy levels for some area residents Sunday.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has declared an ozone Air Quality Action Day in Southern Indiana for Sunday, June 7.

Children, older adults and people with respiratory diseases could especially be affected. IDEM is advising people to limit prolonged outdoor exertion from noon until 7 p.m.

Air quality is expected to be in the orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups range on the air quality index for ozone pollution. 

Ozone pollution measured over an eight-hour average may reach 71-85 parts per billion, according to an IDEM forecast. Hourly readings could spike into the unhealthy for sensitive groups range even if the overall eight-hour average is not exceeded.

Within a few hours or days, exposure to higher levels of ozone can cause lung and throat irritation, shortness of breath and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, according to the U.S. EPA.

Open burning is prohibited during air quality alerts. Using gas and charcoal grills for cooking is permitted, however delaying until after 6 p.m. is recommended.

Suggestions for helping to reduce pollution levels include:

• Conserve energy — turn off lights, reduce air conditioner use, etc.
• Use public transit, or limit driving and avoid unnecessary idling and drive-through windows, especially if there are long lines.
• Postpone refueling your vehicle until after 6 p.m.; don't "top-off" the tank when filling up.
• Consider using electric or manually operated lawn and garden equipment. If you use gasoline-powered equipment, try to avoid use between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Limit the use of cleaning fluids, paint thinners or other materials containing volatile organic compounds that contribute to ozone formation.