High temperatures require multiple Knozone Action Days

Knozone Action Days are meant to protect residents and visitors when ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels have risen above their acceptable thresholds. According to the American Public Health Association, high ozone and particulate matter levels can cause increased hospitalizations, asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and premature death. Indianapolis has higher rates of people living with asthma (10.9%) and COPD (8.6%) than the national average.

Tim Maloney, the senior policy director for the Hoosier Environmental Council said, “The action days certainly serve as a valuable public health reminder for those who are most affected by high levels of ozone or particulate matter."

“They’re a very valuable public service but it’s also an indicator that there is still a lot of work to do in improving air quality.”

Maloney pointed out how much work needs to be done, saying, “If you look back at those (Knozone Action Day) statistics for 2021, from the state of Indiana, there were four air quality action days for fine particulate matter in 2021 and there were nine action days for ozone in 2021. We’ve already had five (now seven) air quality action days for ozone this summer in June.”

Maloney did provide some hope for improvement, saying that more people moving to electric vehicles, improving public transit and factories’ electricity production moving away from coal to renewable energies will all help improve air quality in the future. “Those are all positive trends moving us in the right direction, but clearly the fact that in 2022 we still see a number of air quality or Knozone days means we’ve got work left to do”, said Maloney.

Motor vehicle use is the biggest factor in poor air quality when it comes to ozone. 

“Most of the pollutants that lead to ozone pollution come from motor vehicles compared to factories or power plants. Specifically, with respect to ozone, that’s where the effort still needs to be focused. Having cleaner motor vehicles and giving people effective options to driving,” said Maloney.

“In many communities there are positive steps being taken in those directions and we see that in the new federal infrastructure laws, making more money available for electric vehicle charging stations, and that’s certainly been an obstacle to the deployment of electric vehicles, which is people’s concern about being able to charge them, so they don’t get stranded. Plus, costs coming down as more vehicles are manufactured and more people buying them will all go in the right direction of reducing the impact of motor vehicles on air quality.”

Maloney explained why power plants and factories have less impact than motor vehicles, saying, “I think that’s the Clean Air Act at work. The Clean Air Act is termed as being technology- forcing in that to meet the air quality standards, factories and power plants have had to install all kinds of air pollution control measures from scrubbers that reduce sulfur dioxides from particulate filters that capture the fine particles that come out of combustion processes, the whole host of pollution control technologies that are on our power plants and factories have really made a big difference.”

Lindsay Haake, the organizer of the Citizens Action Coalition, said, “The Knozone action day program is a critical public health initiative that we applaud. Even before COVID we knew that public health spending in Indiana was in need of improvement.”

Although beneficial, Haake and the Citizens Action Coalition also want better long-term improvements beyond action days. “Preventing Knozone Days is our goal at Citizens Action Coalition. Climate change is making Knozone days happen more often and earlier in our summer season, and we must ask our elected officials to make better decisions when it comes to the air we breathe”, said Haake. 

“The reality is that a significant number of Indy citizens already take great care in tracking this information because their lives depend on it. Our poor air quality affects folks in a number of ways, but especially Indy's seniors, our immunocompromised and our kids,’’ said Haake. “Data shows those living in low-income areas suffer more than other populations when it comes to decisions that Indiana leaders make, and have made, that threaten Indiana's air quality.”

Haake added, “We also encourage Hoosiers to contact elected officials at the City County Council and the Statehouse when decision time comes about burning our municipal trash or allowing utilities to burn fossil fuels-- all decisions that have worsened our air quality.”

Along with the air quality, the heat can be dangerous as well. The Office of Public Health and Safety offers the following tips to stay safe in the heat:

·   Stay hydrated. Keep in mind that drinking alcohol and caffeine can lead to dehydration.

·   Check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly and those without access to air conditioning.

·   Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

·   When outside, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and take frequent breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned room.

·   Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

·   Look before you lock! Pay special attention when locking up vehicles to ensure no children or pets are left inside. Temperatures inside a car can become lethal in a matter of minutes.

·   Bring pets indoors and ensure they have plenty of water to drink.

·   Carry an umbrella for immediate shade while out enjoying festivities.

For reminders about Knozone Action Days and tips on how to help our environment, follow the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To learn more about improving air quality, click here.

To sign the Knozone pledge, click here.