Know more about Knozone
With weather conditions as they are, you may soon hear that the city has called for a Knozone Action Day. According to a release from the City of Indianapolis, these come when conditions in the atmosphere are favorable for the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog restricts the ability of your lungs to process oxygen, irritates your throat, makes you cough and your chest feel tight.
People with asthma or other respiratory diseases are especially at risk. To help make a visible difference in Central Indianas air quality, follow these steps to help us all breathe a little easier at work, at home and at play.
Wait to fill your gas tank or mow your lawn until after 6 p.m.
Keep your car tuned up and tires properly inflated.
Avoid using drive-thru windows; go inside instead.
Walk or ride your bike short distances, instead of driving.
Carpool or take the bus. Call IndyGo at 317-635-3344 for route information.
Use water-based paints and solvents.
Plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening when ozone levels are lower, especially if you have asthma or other lung diseases.
Combine small errands into one trip.
Be careful not to spill fuel when filling gas tanks for your car or lawn equipment.
Avoid burning yard debris.
Fuel fleet vehicles late in the day.
Limit or halt non-essential operations like asphalting a parking lot or painting a building.
Distribute e-mail or voice mail reminders on Knozone Action Days.
Limit truck deliveries.
Organize company carpools or vanpools. Contact Central Indiana Commuter Services at 317-327-RIDE for more information.
Flex work schedules so operations dont occur at peak ozone hours.
Subsidize IndyGo transportation. Call 317-635-3344 for more information.
Knozone is a voluntary air pollution reduction program for Indianapolis-Marion County and is funded through a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant. Now in its 10th year, the program educates the public about the effects of ground-level ozone (smog) and fine particles (soot) on public health and the environment. For more information, visit www.knozone.com or call 317-327-4AIR for current air quality information.