Indiana state officials have warned residents to turn off their lights due to harmful ozone levels.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared an Air Quality Action Day in effect through Friday for the northwest, north central and southeast parts of the state.
Air Quality Action Days (AQAD) are days when ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can build up to unhealthy levels in outdoor air, according to the department.
He National Weather Service He said the AQAD was issued because ozone levels are expected to be in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups.
“Save energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioning to 75 degrees or higher,” the weather service said.
Indiana residents have been advised to turn off their lights due to harmful ozone levels.
Active children, adults and people with respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, are advised to limit their time outdoors.
“Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered cutting equipment until after 7 p.m.,” the weather service warned.
‘Avoid using the drive-thru and combine errands into one trip. Turn off the engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.’
A recent study revealed the fatal effect of inhaling emissions from the use of carbon-releasing fossil fuels, such as gas and coal.
Scientists said the use of fossil fuels for power generation, transport and industrial processes such as steelmaking was causing 5.13 million extra deaths a year worldwide.
Researchers said deadly outdoor air pollutants include ozone (O3), which is created by reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, both emitted by vehicles, industrial processes and more.
A recent study revealed the fatal effect of inhaling emissions from the use of fossil fuels that release carbon
At ground level, ozone causes a toxic haze typical of cities and can cause respiratory problems, especially in vulnerable people suffering from lung diseases such as asthma.
Another unpleasant pollutant is known as PM2.5: tiny particles or droplets less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which are invisible to the naked eye and are inhaled without us realizing.
Inhalation of PM2.5 is already believed to cause asthma, lung and heart disease and even depressive symptoms, but many of its health effects remain to be discovered.
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