A forecast of bright sun, hot air, and light wind has prompted officials to issue an Air Quality Alert Day for Tuesday. WNIN’s John Gibson has more:
Forecasters say the first day of summer will certainly feel like summer with highs in the upper 90’s.
But the Indiana Department of Environmental Management says the air may also be unhealthy to breathe.
IDEM says children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.
Authorities urge everyone to carpool, use public transportation, and combine errands into one trip to reduce emissions that create ground-level ozone.
You’re also asked to wait until evening to fuel-up your vehicle or use gasoline-powered lawn equipment.
If you must drive, you’re urged to avoid idling.
Experts say you can conserve energy by turning off unnecessary lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above.
Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive people.