Hot weather could mean trouble breathing today

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is issuing an Air Quality Action Day alert for our area today.

That means ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to be high today. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

While ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors according to the agency.