Air quality warning issued for Friday in the Evansville area

EVANSVILLE – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has called for an air quality action day on Friday in Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick, Spencer, Gibson and Pike counties due to high ozone levels.

According to IDEM, the warning is an extension of a warning issued for Thursday and is valid until Friday, 11:59 p.m.

“An ozone alert is issued when a combination of high temperatures, light winds and other factors create conditions where high ozone emissions could exceed legal limits,” IDEM said in a statement about the alert.

To reduce ozone emissions, IDEM says the public can:

• Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-thru and do multiple errands in one trip.
• Avoid refueling vehicles or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment after 7 p.m.
• Turn off the engine if it is idling for more than 30 seconds.
• Save energy by turning off the lights or setting the air conditioning to 24°C or more.
• People who are sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected by high ozone levels. Children, the elderly and people with heart or lung disease should reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor work.