Indiana Residents Are Ordered to Turn Off Their Lights Immediately



Indiana state officials have warned residents to turn off their lights due to unhealthy ozone levels. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management declared an Air Quality Alert Day (AQAD) for portions of the state. AQAD days are when ground-level ozone and fine particulate matters, known as PM2.5, can build up to unhealthy levels in the outdoor air. The National Weather Service said the AQAD was issued because ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Residents are urged to conserve energy by turning off lights and setting their air conditioners to 75ยบ or above. Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory disease — such as asthma — are advised to limit their time outside. People are advised to avoid using the drive-thru and combine errands into one trip, as well as turning off their engines when idling for more than 30 seconds. Further, they are to avoid fueling their vehicles or using gas-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m. At ground level, ozone causes a smoggy haze typically seen in cities and can cause breathing problems for the vulnerable.