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Ozone Knockout '08

Congratulations Indiana! Hoosiers delivered a one-two punch to ground-level ozone during the first annual Ozone Knockout ’08 campaign! The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) Ozone Knockout takes place during the last two weeks of June, a time that historically has a high number of Air Quality Action Days for ozone. On these hot, sunny days, activities like mowing the grass and driving a car contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, making it difficult for sensitive groups like young children, older adults and people with respiratory illnesses to breathe.

During the month of June, IDEM staff traveled around the state urging Hoosier citizens and businesses to reduce activities which contribute to the creation of ground-level ozone—and rewarded those who did. Events were held in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Merrillville, New Albany, Evansville, Rolling Prairie, Carmel, and Indianapolis.

Taking action to improve Indiana’s air quality doesn’t end with Ozone Knockout though. Hoosiers can continue to improve Indiana’s air quality all year long by keeping up with new habits, such as carpooling and using public transportation whenever possible, mowing the lawn after 7 p.m. and avoiding unnecessary idling.

IDEM would like to thank all those businesses and individuals who supported Ozone Knockout ’08 by being part of the solution to pollution, especially IndyGo, the Indianapolis Indians, Fort Wayne Wizards, the Clean Air Force, Clean Air Car Check, Raytheon, McDonald’s, Burger King, the Health Works Kids Museum, the Indiana Toll Road, Citilink, the National Weather Service, Downtown South Bend, Inc., and the Evansville Freedom Festival.

Tips for Citizens and Employers

Tips for Employers
  1. Designate a work place coordinator for the Air Quality Action Day program.
  2. Notify employees of upcoming Air Quality Action Days through e-mail memos, banners, intercom announcements, etc. Also, have your contact person ensure that managers remind their employees.
  3. Start a ride-share program for employees.
  4. Work a flexible schedule and commute during non-peak driving times.
  5. Buy a bike rack for your employees and encourage them to use it, or allow employees to keep their bicycles safely indoors.
  6. Pack a lunch and eat in or walk to lunch.
  7. Buy energy-efficient computers and lighting.
  8. Turn off all equipment and lights when not in use.
  9. Keep fleet vehicles well maintained.
  10. Recycle office products.
Tips for Citizens
  1. Carpool, use public transportation, walk or ride a bike.
  2. Reduce time driving, especially during peak traffic periods or hot days.
  3. Limit engine idling time to 30 seconds; skip the drive-through.
  4. Fill gas tank during the cool evening hours to reduce evaporation.
  5. Mow your lawn after 7 p.m.
  6. Avoid using boats, motorcycles and other small engine vehicles on hot, sunny days.
  7. Keep your vehicle well maintained.
  8. Turn off appliances and lights when not in use.
  9. Keep household paints, solvents and pesticides in air-tight containers.
  10. Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard.
  11. Reuse materials like paper bags and boxes.
  12. Plant deciduous trees around your house to provide shade in the summer and to allow light in the winter.

Even More Tips...

Additional Resources