INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability is issuing a Knozone Action Day for Friday, June 30 as winds carry smoke south from wildfires in Canada.
People should avoid time outdoors as much as possible, especially active children, the elderly, anyone pregnant, and those with asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease, or COVID.
Friday's Knozone Action Day will mark the 13th declaration so far in Indianapolis in 2023. It also marks the fourth consecutive Knozone Action Day this week.
According to the American Public Health Association, air pollutants can cause increased hospitalizations, asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, chronic obstructive disease and premature death.
You can reduce contributing to the issue by:
- Avoiding vehicle idling, including when in drive-thru lanes or picking up carry-out
- Using active forms of transportation like walking or biking
- Utilizing public transportation or carpool with services such as IndyGo or Commuter Connect
- Waiting to refuel and mow until the air is cool
- Combining errands to reduce number of trips
- Conserving energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above
- Delaying use of garden, household, and workshop chemicals until air has returned to healthy levels
- Never burning trash. Burning trash is illegal in Marion County.
Nearly 10% of Indianapolis residents have asthma and 6% have COPD.
For more information on how to help improve central Indiana’s air quality, click here.