High ozone could endanger vulnerable residents today

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared an Ozone Action Day for counties in our area including Bartholomew, Brown and Shelby counties.

An Ozone Action Day means that a combination of high temperatures, light winds, and other factors, produce conditions where high levels of ozone emissions may exceed federally mandated standards.

High ozone near the ground acts a lung irritant. It can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors today.

IDEM recommends that you take actions to lower ozone levels, including walking, biking, carpooling or using public transportation; avoid going through drive-throughs; if your vehicle is going to be idling for more than 30 seconds, shut it off; combine your errands into one trip; avoid refueling your vehicle or using gas-powered lawn equipment until after 7 tonight.

The alert is in effect until midnight.

You can get more information at SmogWatch.IN.gov.