First Knozone Action Day of 2025: Outside air will be bad June 12. What you should know
Hot temperatures, sunny skies, and light winds will lead to conditions suitable for ozone development when combined with wildfire smoke and other emission sources. Due to a high ground-level ozone forecast, the air quality outside will be deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability said people in Central Indiana with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) disease, and other similar diagnoses should avoid time spent outdoors on June 12. Unhealthy air quality impacts public health and environmental justice as vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, pregnant people, outdoor laborers, and anyone suffering from asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease, or other conditions, are at greater risk, according to the office.
Nearly 1 in 5 Marion County residents is at greater risk for severe symptoms due to unhealthy air quality.
People can sign up at smogwatch.in.gov to be notified of unhealthy air days early.
Knozone.com and the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow website and mobile app are other resources for monitoring local air.
This time last year: Stay inside, Knozone Action Day extended due to high temperatures
Knozone Action Days happen when levels of certain pollutants rise above acceptable thresholds. During Knozone Action Days, the air quality may become unhealthy for sensitive individuals due to increased ground-level ozone and/or fine particles, which are two of the most common pollutants in the United States.While the ozone layer high in the atmosphere helps protect us from the sun's rays, ozone down where we breathe is dangerous for public health, according to the Office of Sustainability.
Ground-level ozone is created when a chemical reaction occurs between sunlight and hydrocarbons from emission sources common in urban areas, like gas-powered vehicles and lawn mowers.
Fine particulate matter (or PM2.5) refers to microscopic particles in the air, including dust and smoke, that we can inhale into our lungs and cause damage. This can even be caused by wildfires or dust clouds blowing from thousands of miles away.
Residents are encouraged to reduce their contribution toground-level ozone by:
Avoid vehicle idling, including when in drive-thru lanes or picking up carry-out
Drive less by using active forms of transportation like walking or biking (utilizing Pacers Bikeshare's IndyRides Free pass)
Utilize public transportation or carpool with services such as IndyGo or Commuter Connect
Wait to refuel and use gas-powered lawn equipment until temperatures are cooler
Combine errands to reduce the number of trips
Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above
Delay the use of garden, household, and workshop chemicals until the air has returned to healthy levels
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Poor air quality in Indianapolis expected for June 12, 2025. What to expect
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