IDEM issues PM2.5 (fine particulate) Air Quality Action Day for July 22

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) declared a PM2.5 (fine particulate) Air Quality Action Day in Southern Indiana for July 22, 2021.

Who might this affect?

  • Kids
  • Older adults
  • Those with respiratory diseases

Take precautions, such as limiting physical exertion outdoors.

Follow these simple pollution prevention tips to reduce emissions from daily activities:

  • Carpool, walk, bike, or use public transportation when possible.
  • Refuel vehicles after dusk.
  • Avoid excess idling and drive-through windows.
  • Consolidate trips and avoid fast-starts.
  • Postpone using gasoline-powered garden equipment or mowing the lawn until late evening, when temperatures are cooler.
  • Work from home to reduce vehicle emissions, if your employer provides the option.
  • Use energy efficient lighting and appliances recommended by the Energy Star Program.
  • Turn off appliances and lights when not in use to reduce emissions from energy production.
  • Adjust your thermostat by turning it up in the summer and down in the winter to reduce emissions from energy production.
  • Recycle to reduce emissions related to producing paper, plastic, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard.
  • Use “low VOC” or “zero VOC” paint and cleaning products.
  • Consider burning gas logs instead of wood to reduce smoke.
  • Avoid burning clean wood waste such as leaves and brush. If possible, recycle yard waste by shredding or chipping it at home or use a registered collection site. Never burn trash.

Air Quality Forecast

Highest PM2.5 readings are in the southwest part of the state and the lowest are in the northeast.  Cloudy, foggy and /or hazy skies over most of central Indiana with dewpoints in the 60’s. An upper level disturbance will push across the state this afternoon with northwest flow aloft.  Surface high pressure will bring subsidence today then move eastward tomorrow.  Humidity will increase somewhat tomorrow with only a slight chance of thunderstorms both Friday and Saturday.  Storms become more numerous Saturday night once dewpoints rise above 70 degrees.

 

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