10:11 a.m. EDT, July 17, 2011

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is forecasting high ozone levels today in the following metropolitan areas:

 

  • South Bend-Elkhart - St. Joseph and Elkhart counties Michigan City-LaPorte - LaPorte County

  • Northwest Indiana - Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties

    IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making simple changes to their daily habits. You can:

  • Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.

  • Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.

  • Avoid refilling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.

  • Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.

  • Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.

    Anyone sensitive to poor air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

    Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather bake 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.