Please be advised that outdoor ozone levels in Evansville and Vanderburgh County may reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups†range established by the U.S. EPA for the 8-hour Ozone Standard.
About This Alert: Abundant sunshine, light easterly winds travelling down the Ohio Valley, and smoke from Canadian firesmay allow for ozone to breach the 8-hour standard on Thursday. Even if the 8-hour standard isn’t exceeded, hourly readings could reach the USG category. Central and Southeastern Indiana will be under the same USG Alert for Thursday, including the cities of Indianapolis, Terre Haute, and Louisville.
| Air Quality Index | Ozone 8-hr average |
| Good (0-50) | 0-54 ppb |
| Moderate (51 – 100) | 55-70 ppb |
| →  Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101 – 150) | 71-85 ppb |
| Unhealthy (151 – 200) | 86-105 ppb |
| Very Unhealthy (201 – 300) | 106-200 ppb |
| HAZARDOUS (301 – 500+) | >200 ppb |
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The U.S. EPA recommends that sensitive groups such as children, older adults, those with respiratory diseases, and people who are active outdoors limit prolonged outdoor exertion, especially between the hours of 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. when the highest ozone concentrations are most likely to occur.
Within a few hours or days, exposure to higher levels of Ozone may cause lung and throat irritation, shortness of breath, and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. For more information about ozone and your health please go to: http://www.epa.gov/airnow/ozone-c.pdf
Do your share to protect air quality and reduce pollution levels:
- Conserve energy – turn off lights, reduce air conditioner use, etc.
- Use Public transit, or limit driving and avoid unnecessary idling at drive-through windows and school pick-up/drop-off areas, especially if there are long lines.
- Postpone refueling your vehicle until after 6:00 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 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Limit the use of cleaning fluids, paint thinners or other materials containing volatile organic compounds (VOC).
- Postpone painting projects or use low-VOC coatings.
- OPEN BURNING IS PROHIBITED during an air quality alert. The use of gas and charcoal grills for cooking is permitted, however delaying until after 6 p.m. is recommended.
