Indy Ranks Low In Air Quality

A new report from the American Lung Association ranks greater Indianapolis as one of the worst in the nation for air quality, receiving failing marks in several categories.

The Association’s annual State of the Air report finds the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie region is 16th worst for soot pollution, up from 19th a year ago.

The area also is failing in high ozone days and year round particle pollution categories.

"Air pollution is especially dangerous because we can't avoid it," said Jodi Perras of the Indiana Sierra Club.   "Unlike water and soil pollution we all are breathing the air when we go outside and that's a real concern."

Marion County averages about five high ozone days per year, that is the third lowest it’s been since 1996, but it's still considered failing. 

At its peak in 1997, there were 25 ozone days.  Nearly 84,000 county residents suffer from asthma, including nearly 22,000 children.

"When air pollution goes up, disease and lung troubles, and heart attacks go up," said Perras.  "When air pollution goes down, people are healthier."

Perras says if the region wants to improve its ranking, the state is going to have to shift away from coal.

"The real concern that we have is where our electricity comes from.  Our electricity comes primarily from coal and having a coal fired power plant here in Marion County is the biggest issue we have yet to tackle," she siad.

Perras does commend Indianapolis’ push towards mass transit, bike, and car share programs as ways to make the air cleaner.