Ozone alert issued for Thursday in Vanderburgh, surrounding counties

EVANSVILLE — The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has called for an Air Quality Action Day for high levels of ozone Thursday in Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick, Spencer, Gibson and Pike counties.

The alert is in effect from midnight Wednesday to midnight Thursday, according to IDEM.

"An Ozone Alert is issued when a combination of high temperatures, light winds and other factors are expected to produce conditions where high levels of ozone emissions may exceed federally mandated standards," IDEM said in a statement announcing the alert.

To reduce ozone emissions, IDEM says, the public can:

• Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Avoid refueling vehicles or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Turn off engines when idling for more than 30 seconds.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting air conditioners to 75 degrees or above.
• 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.