Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials have declared an Air Quality Action Day Tuesday, June 27 that extends to 11 p.m. CT as they are forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air.
The alert includes all of North Central, Northeast and Northwest Indiana.
PM2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM2.5 exposure. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, snow cover, higher humidity, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.
Hoosiers are encouraged to avoid activities which lead to ozone and fine particulate formation which include refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline powered lawn equipment and using charcoal lighter fluid.
It is recommended that people with respiratory diseases limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
