Jackson County is among Indiana counties included in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Air Quality Action Day on Monday.

High ozone levels have been predicted and has prompted the agency to issue the effort.

IDEM encourages residents to make changes to daily habit in an effort to reduce ozone effects.

The agency recommends:

– Walking, carpooling or using public transportation to reduce emissions.
– Avoid using drive-throughs and combine errands into a single trip.
– Avoid refueling vehicles or lawn equipment before 7 p.m.
– Turn off engines when idling for more than 30 seconds
– Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.

Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties.