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Every May the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) begins issuing air quality forecasts and health advisories. This year MDE initiated an extended range air quality forecast that provides the public and business community advanced notice of air quality events when the air could be deemed unhealthy for a number of consecutive days. This advance notice will allow the public to limit their exposure to unhealthy air and enact a plan to reduce pollution at home and at work.
MDE began issuing air quality forecasts in the early 1990s. The agency monitors air quality and issues forecasts year round. During warmer months ground level ozone becomes a concern while particulate matter levels may vary from time to time.
The department has launched a refined AirWatch website (www.air-watch.net). The site, which debuted in 2004, provides easy access to local and national air quality information and offers the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts and real-time conditions for central Maryland, northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. Users of AirWatch may sign up to receive AirAlerts – real-time email and cellular text message notifications when air pollution reaches unhealthy levels.
Traditionally, MDE has forecast ground-level ozone air pollution from May through September. Now the department also includes particle pollution in the forecasts.
“Throughout the region during the next several weeks, there will be many activities intended to help the public become aware of the importance of good air quality,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “May is Clean Commute Month and commuters should attempt a commute with a carpool, use public transit, telework, walk or bicycle. These alternatives reduce pollution from tailpipe emissions by reducing the number of vehicles on our roadways. Throughout the month, residents will be encouraged to try an alternative to commuting to work in a single occupied vehicle.”
To learn more about Maryland's air, visit:
http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Air/Pages/index.aspx
Another important way to prevent and reduce pollution is to drive a well-maintained vehicle. MDE and its partners will be holding two Car Care Clinics in June, free to the public. The clinics will have certified technicians who, with the car owners, will visually inspect vehicles and demonstrate how to check tire pressure, fluid levels, wiper blades, filters, etc. Each inspection will take approximately 20 minutes.
The first clinic, co-sponsored by MDE, Catonsville Community College, AAA and Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be held at Catonsville Community College Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The second clinic, co-sponsored by MDE and the American Lung Association of Maryland, will be held at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen on Saturday, June 25 from 8 a.m. until Noon.
Other Clean Commute Month events included the annual Bike to Work Day events on May 6. Morning rallies were held in Baltimore, Annapolis, Towson, and Bel Air. Bicycling is a clean, efficient and healthy way to commute to work and traveling for short-distance errands. To learn more about bike commuting, visit www.bike2workcentralmd.com.
Clean Air Partners held its annual Air Quality Action Days Kickoff Conference May 12 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Va. The conference featured sessions on forecasting, health effects, and voluntary actions to reduce pollution. The keynote speaker was be Bob Ryan, Chief Meteorologist at NBC affiliate television station WRC 4.
To learn more about Clean Commute Month, visit
www.baltometro.org/cc/cleancommute.html.
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