The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast another statewide Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for today as a Canadian wildfire plume continues to move slowly through the state.
Air monitor readings across the state remain very high for smog and particulate matter. A monitor in Columbus on Wednesday rated the air quality index “unhealthy” with a reading of 199.
At such levels of air pollution, everyone may begin to develop health effects and those in sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects, according to IDEM.
An index reading over 200 puts the index in the lowest air quality rating, “very unhealthy.” At those levels, everyone may experience severe health effects, IDEM says.
Columbus Fire Department spokesman Mike Wilson said Wednesday the department had not experienced any elevated emergency calls attributable to air quality issues.
IDEM suggests the following to help reduce particulates in the air:
- Carpool or use public transportation.
- Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
- Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
- Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
- Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting.
Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. Hoosiers are encouraged to visit SmogWatch.IN.gov to view current and forecast conditions and subscribe to email alerts.
