It’s smoke, not fog; central Indiana under air quality alert

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The remnants of July 4th fireworks have to go somewhere, and now, Indianapolis is breathing in some of the worst air quality in the world.

The National Weather Service of Indianapolis has put most of central Indiana under a PM 2.5 air quality alert until midnight tonight. A PM 2.5 particle pollution rating means that extremely small particles can be harmful for your heart and lungs.

“Fine particulate levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor
exposure,” the NWS reports.

Anyone with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid physical activities outside. Everyone else should stay outside as little as possible.

If you have to leave the house, you’re urged to avoid using drive-throughs for your errands and combine them into one trip. NWS says you should avoid refueling or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m. and to remember to turn your engine off if you’re idling for more than 30 seconds.

To help conserve energy, turn off lights or set the air condition to 75 degrees or above.

Counties under air quality alert

• Bartholomew County.
• Boone County.
• Brown County.
• Carroll County.
• Clay County.
• Clinton County.
• Decatur County.
• Delaware County.
• Fountain County.
• Hamilton County.
• Hancock County.
• Hendricks County.
• Henry County.
• Howard County.
• Johnson County.
• Madison County.
• Monroe County.
• Montgomery County.
• Morgan County.
• Owen County.
• Parke County.
• Putnam County.
• Randolph County.
• Rush County.
• Shelby County.
• Sullivan County.
• Tippecanoe County.
• Tipton County.
• Vermillion County.
• Vigo County.
• Warren County.

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