Air Quality – Ozone Alert For Region-Effective Date: May 16 – May 167 2017

Air Quality Forecast:  Please be advised that outdoor Ozone levels may reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for the 8-hour Ozone Standard.

About This Alert:  Low humidity and low dew points, light winds, and abundant sunshine will create an opportunity for ozone to breach the 8-hour standard on Monday and Tuesday.  A strong upper level ridge will continue to build and shift eastward, strengthening the capping inversion throughout southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Even if the 8-hour standard isn’t exceeded, expect hourly readings in the USG category.

 

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 can 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

To 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 and drive-through windows, 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.

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Near real-time data, forecasts and more information may be found at:  www.airnow.gov and www.evansville.in.gov/epa.

Sign up for daily air quality forecasts and air quality alert notices at:  http://evansville.enviroflash.info/.