RELEASE: Knozone Action Day Begins Monday Evening Due to Unhealthy Levels of Particle Pollution (PM2.5)
People in Central Indiana with asthma, COPD, and other diagnoses should avoid time spent outdoors Monday, October 21 & Tuesday, October 22, 2024, due to fine particulate matter
INDIANAPOLIS—The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability is issuing a Knozone Action Day for sensitive groups (orange on the Air Quality Index, included below) for Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The current air quality forecast indicates that levels of fine particulates in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range are possible starting around 8 p.m. this evening and lasting until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The current weather conditions have allowed for mostly clear skies for the last several days and is expected to cause stagnant conditions overnight which combined with light winds may cause an increase in fine particles at the surface across parts of Indianapolis. In addition, any local leaf burning, or bonfires could contribute additional fine particulates as well during this time. Over the weekend, the West 18th Steet monitor measured 24-hour values in the USG range for fine particulate matter. An area of high pressure is currently in control of the weather across the eastern half of the US and some light smoke is expected to be transported into the region today. Sensitive groups should remain indoors Monday and Tuesday as much as possible.
Poor air quality impacts public health and environmental justice as vulnerable groups including children, older adults, pregnant people, outdoor laborers, and anyone suffering from asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease, or other conditions are at greater risk. 11% of Marion County adults suffer from asthma, and 7.5% suffer from COPD; meaning nearly 1 in 5 community members is at greater risk for severe symptoms due to poor air quality.
Community members can sign up for text or email alerts at smogwatch.in.gov to be notified of unhealthy air days early. Knozone.com and the EPA's AirNow website and mobile app are other great resources for monitoring local air. Community members can also follow @SustainIndy on Facebook, X, and Instagram for reminders about Knozone Action Days.
To protect residents and local air quality, the Office of Sustainability issues Knozone Action Days when levels of certain pollutants rise above acceptable thresholds. During Knozone Action Days, the air quality may become unhealthy for sensitive individuals due to increased ground-level ozone and/or fine particles -- two of the most common pollutants in the United States.
While the ozone layer high in the atmosphere helps protect us from the sun’s rays, ozone down where we breathe is dangerous for public health. Ground-level ozone is created when a chemical reaction occurs between sunlight and hydrocarbons from emission sources common in urban areas, like gas-powered vehicles and lawn mowers. Fine particulate matter (or PM2.5) refers to microscopic particles in the air, including dust and smoke, that we can inhale into our lungs and cause damage. This can even be caused by wildfires or dust clouds blowing from thousands of miles away.
Every day, and especially on Knozone Action Days, residents are encouraged to reduce their contribution to ground-level ozone through these simple actions:
· 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 number of trips.
· Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.
· Delay use of garden, household, and workshop chemicals until air has returned to healthy levels.
For more information on how to help improve Central Indiana’s air quality, visit https://knozone.com/actionday.
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