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Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Air Quality Forecasting

Current estimated air quality index and forecasts by region

Forecast discussion

An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone (O3) is being declared for September 18, 2018 for Central and Southern Indiana. The Ozone (O3) forecast is Moderate for West and Northern Indiana.

The Fine Particulate (PM2.5) forecast is Moderate for September 18, 2018.

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

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.

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov.

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.

Region Current conditions
as of December 18, 2018 8:10 pm EST		 Forecast for December 18, 2018
Estimated Air Quality Index Primary
Pollutant		 Forecast Primary
Pollutant
Bloomington Good - 40 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Louisville Good - 20 O3 No Forecast
Michigan City Good - 22 O3 No Forecast
South Bend Good - 39 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Terre Haute Moderate - 54 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson Moderate - 57 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Evansville-Henderson Good - 35 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Fort Wayne Good - 42 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Gary Moderate - 56 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast
Lafayette Moderate - 53 PM2.5 (Lcl) No Forecast

Air Quality Index

About Air Quality

IDEM monitors level of ozone and particle pollution from stations around Indiana. Both of these are pollutants that, at high levels, may raise health concerns in some people.

Ground-level ozone is the main ingredient in smog. It is a colorless gas formed by the reaction of sunlight with vehicle emissions, gasoline fumes, solvent vapors, and power plant and industrial emissions. Ozone formation is most likely in hot, dry weather when the air is fairly still.

Particle pollution monitoring is now available on the web for select areas in Indiana. Particle pollution is made up of particles found in soot, dust, smoke, and fumes. The burning of coal, oil, diesel, and other fuels produces these particles. The particles are small enough to enter deep into the lungs and cause health problems.

Ozone and particle pollution have been linked to short-term health concerns, particularly among children, asthmatics, people with heart or lung disease, and older adults. The effects of these pollutants can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise when levels are high. You can use the forecast for the following day to plan your activities during the summer months. More information on the health effects of air pollutants is available from AirNow.

What Can I Do?

PLEASE NOTE: This data has not been verified by the IDEM and may change. This is the most current data, but it is not official until it has been certified by our technical staff. Data is collected from IDEM ambient monitoring sites and may include data collected by other outside agencies. This data is updated hourly. All times shown are in local standard time unless otherwise indicated.