Ozone levels in the air are high today. Limit the time you spend outside and check out the Action Day page to learn how you can help combat high levels of ozone and air pollution.
Take the PledgeWhen you pump gasoline into your car tank or a gas can, some escapes as fumes. On hot summer days, these emissions can react with sunlight and heat to form ground level ozone. Refueling after 7pm prevents emissions from escaping during the hottest hours of the day when they’re most likely to form ozone.
Someday, hopefully soon, we may see our energy grid powered completely by renewable energies like wind and solar. Until then, anything that runs on power — gas, electricity, etc. — runs on fossil fuels at some level and releases emissions when used.
Letting your car idle for longer 10 seconds releases more emissions than simply restarting. Avoid heavy traffic times, drive-thru lanes, and any other idling on Action Days.
Walk, ride a bike, take public transit or hitch a ride with a carpool to prevent or minimize emissions from driving.
You’ll save emissions and time. It’s a win-win.
Some contain volatile organic compounds(VOCs) that may react with sunlight and heat to form ozone.
Central Indiana is our home. It belongs to all of us, and preserving the quality of our air is our shared responsibility. Pass this information along to your friends and family, and tell them about ways they, too, can make a positive impact.
Ozone is a highly reactive molecule made of three oxygen atoms. Ozone that forms naturally in the Earth’s upper atmosphere (stratosphere) absorbs most of the sun’s radiation. In the Earth’s lower atmosphere (troposphere), ozone forms as a result of manmade pollution. When ozone forms in the troposphere it can lead to health complications.
Particulate matter (PM) 2.5 is the term used to describe particle pollution found in the air that is smaller than 2.5 micrometers. Manmade and natural sources emit particles of dust, dirt, soot, smoke and other pollutants that are suspended in the air. Particle pollution can cause smog and lead to health complications when inhaled.