Brian Barton
Baltimore City has some of the most dangerous air to breathe in the US, with air pollution levels resulting from city sources such as building heating, traffic, and industry, as well as out-of-city and out-of-state sources carried over by wind. The city's air quality has marginally improved since 2013, but it continues to suffer from environmental hazards, including coal pollution and the effects of the WIN waste incinerator, which has operated since 1985 and is considered the number one air polluter in Baltimore City. The Baltimore Clean Air Act is designed to raise pollution standards and bring about cleaner air in the city, targeting 38% of its industrial air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | Unhealthy |
| PM2.5 concentration | 12.3 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value |
| Ozone | Above the federal limit |
| Coal dust | Common problem |
| Coal export hub | Second largest in the U.S. |
| Major sources of pollution | WIN waste incinerator, coal pollution, vehicle emissions, power plants |
| Air quality status | Marginally improved since 2013 |
| Air quality data | Limited and/or outdated in some neighbourhoods |
| Air quality ranking | 81st most air-polluted locality in the U.S. (2014) |
| Asthma ranking | 33rd worst asthma capital in the U.S. (2018) |
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What You'll Learn
- Baltimore's air quality is deemed ''unhealthy''
- The city's air pollution is caused by local and out-of-state sources
- Baltimore's air pollution is exacerbated by the lack of accurate data and relevant regulations
- The city's incinerators are a major source of air pollution
- Baltimore's air pollution is linked to adverse health effects, particularly for sensitive groups
Baltimore's air quality is deemed ''unhealthy''
Baltimore's air quality is deemed unhealthy, with the city suffering from numerous environmental hazards, particularly high rates of air pollution. The city's air pollution levels result from various sources, including building heating, traffic, industry, and out-of-state emissions. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) found that up to 70% of Baltimore's smog could be attributed to upwind states, with power plant and vehicle emissions from nearby states contributing significantly.
Baltimore has a significant problem with ozone, a harmful pollutant that has consistently exceeded federal limits since at least 1996. From 2016 to 2018, the city experienced an average of 14.2 unhealthy ozone days, far above the federal limit of 3.2. This has earned Baltimore a "'serious nonattainment' status" and an "F" rating from the American Lung Association.
Particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, is another major concern for Baltimore's air quality. PM2.5 refers to tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung diseases. Baltimore's PM2.5 concentration is currently 12.3 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value, and the city has seen an uptick in particulate pollution since 2017.
Baltimore also faces issues with coal pollution, as the Port of Baltimore is the second-largest hub for exporting coal in the US. Uncovered coal trains and piles of coal near residential areas, such as Curtis Bay, have led to high levels of coal dust in the air. Additionally, the presence of waste incinerators, such as the Wheelabrator Baltimore trash incinerator, has been identified as a significant source of air pollution in the city.
The Baltimore Clean Air Act aims to address these issues by raising emissions standards, requiring continuous monitoring of pollutants, and enforcing the installation of pollution controls. However, despite these efforts, Baltimore's air quality continues to be a concern, with sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, being particularly vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution.
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The city's air pollution is caused by local and out-of-state sources
Baltimore, Maryland, has some of the most dangerous air to breathe in the United States. The city's air pollution results from local sources, including building heating, traffic, and industry, as well as out-of-state sources carried over by wind.
An estimate from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) found that about 70% of Baltimore's smog may come from upwind states. Power plant and vehicle emissions from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky are swept over to Baltimore by the wind. While these states have similar regulations to Maryland, enforcement is often more relaxed, leading to over-pollution. The MDE identified 19 over-polluting power plants in these five states and petitioned the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2016 to enforce the use of pollution controls. However, the EPA denied its role in protecting Maryland from transboundary air pollution.
Baltimore's local sources of air pollution include the Wheelabrator Baltimore ("BRESCO") trash incinerator, which is the city's largest air polluter. The city is also home to the nation's largest medical waste incinerator, Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services, which accepts waste from about 20 states and Canada. These incinerators emit toxic chemicals from burning waste, and their operations have been linked to asthma and allergy issues in Baltimore residents. In addition, the Port of Baltimore is the second-largest hub for exporting coal in the US, leading to coal dust being a common issue in the city. An explosion at the CSX coal terminal in 2021 coated surrounding neighbourhoods in coal dust, highlighting the severe environmental problems faced by Baltimore communities.
The Baltimore Clean Air Act was designed to raise pollution standards and improve the city's air quality. The law would force the city's largest air polluters to meet strict standards or shut down. While there has been resistance and challenges to implementing this legislation, it is a step towards addressing Baltimore's air pollution problem.
Overall, Baltimore's air pollution is a complex issue influenced by both local and out-of-state sources. The city continues to struggle with unhealthy air quality levels, particularly due to ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Efforts to improve monitoring, enforcement, and pollution control measures are ongoing to protect the health and well-being of Baltimore residents.
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Baltimore's air pollution is exacerbated by the lack of accurate data and relevant regulations
Baltimore's air pollution is a pressing issue, with the city facing various environmental challenges, particularly concerning air quality. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of accurate data and relevant regulations, which has led to a situation where Baltimore's air is among the most dangerous to breathe in the nation.
Baltimore's air pollution stems from various sources, including building heating, traffic, industry, and out-of-state emissions. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) estimates that about two-thirds of Baltimore's smog comes from upwind states, mainly due to power plant and vehicle emissions. While these states have similar regulations to Maryland, their enforcement is less stringent, resulting in over-pollution. This highlights the need for better data and more effective regulations to address the issue.
Baltimore's air quality has shown some improvement since 1996, thanks to the efforts of Maryland and the federal government. However, the city still struggles with unhealthy ozone levels and fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. In recent years, there has been an uptick in particulate pollution, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization's guidelines. The lack of current and neighbourhood-specific data on air quality in Baltimore makes it difficult to fully understand the extent and impact of pollution on residents' health.
The Baltimore Clean Air Act was passed in 2019 to address the city's air pollution issues. The Act targeted the city's largest air polluters, waste incinerators, and aimed to raise pollution standards. However, the implementation of the Act faced challenges due to legal pushback from the affected companies and a subsequent federal court ruling that struck down the law due to a conflict with state law. As a result, a settlement agreement was reached, requiring the trash incinerator to upgrade its pollution controls by the end of 2023.
Overall, Baltimore's air pollution is a complex issue that requires urgent attention. The lack of accurate and neighbourhood-specific data, as well as the need for more effective regulations, particularly regarding out-of-state emissions, contribute to the city's air quality challenges. Addressing these issues is crucial to improving the health and well-being of Baltimore's residents.
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The city's incinerators are a major source of air pollution
Baltimore City has been suffering from high levels of air pollution, with the air quality consistently straddling the line of 50 AQI, between "good" and "moderate". The city's incinerators are a major source of this air pollution.
Baltimore's incinerators have been a source of controversy for many years. The city's two large waste incinerators, Wheelabrator Baltimore ("BRESCO") and Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services, have been identified as the city's largest stationary sources of industrial air pollution. These incinerators emit toxic chemicals, including mercury, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter, which contribute to respiratory issues, heart conditions, and other serious health problems for residents of nearby neighborhoods.
In late 2018 and early 2019, community and environmental advocates pressured the city to adopt tighter air pollution limits on the incinerators. As a result, the Baltimore Clean Air Act was passed unanimously by the City Council in February 2019 and signed into law by Mayor Pugh in March 2019. The law requires the city's incinerators to meet the most protective air pollution standards or face closure. However, the incinerators' owner subsequently challenged the new limits in federal court and had them struck down.
Despite the setback, the city reached a settlement agreement with the owner, which included an emissions control agreement. As per the agreement, the incinerators will have to upgrade their pollution controls at a cost of $40 million by the end of 2023, reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides that trigger asthma attacks. The city has also renewed a long-term contract pledging to send waste to the incinerators through 2031.
In addition to the trash incinerators, Baltimore is also home to the nation's largest medical waste incinerator, Curtis Bay Energy, which accepts medical waste from about 20 states and Canada. The medical waste incinerator is also required to abide by stricter emissions standards under the Baltimore Clean Air Act.
Overall, the city's incinerators have been a significant source of air pollution in Baltimore, and while some efforts have been made to mitigate their impact, activists and residents continue to push for a transition away from incineration and towards more sustainable waste disposal methods.
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Baltimore's air pollution is linked to adverse health effects, particularly for sensitive groups
Baltimore's air pollution is a pressing issue, with the city facing challenges from various sources, including city sources such as building heating, traffic, and industry, as well as out-of-city and out-of-state sources. The city's air quality has been described as “unhealthy," with particular concern for sensitive groups.
Baltimore's air pollution levels have been attributed to a combination of local and external factors. Local sources, such as building heating, traffic, and industry, contribute significantly to the city's air pollution. Additionally, Baltimore's proximity to other states, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, means that it is also affected by power plant and vehicle emissions from these areas. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) estimates that up to 70% of Baltimore's smog can be traced to these upwind states, highlighting the significant impact of external factors on the city's air quality.
One of the primary concerns regarding Baltimore's air pollution is the high levels of ozone and fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. Ozone is a pollutant that is formed when sunlight reacts with vehicle emissions and power plant pollutants. It poses a significant health risk, particularly during the summer months when ozone levels tend to increase with higher temperatures and more direct sunlight. PM2.5, on the other hand, refers to tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause a hazy appearance when levels are elevated. These particles can come from various sources, including power plants, vehicle emissions, and industrial processes.
The health effects of Baltimore's air pollution are particularly pronounced for sensitive groups, including individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma. High levels of ozone and PM2.5 can trigger asthma attacks and cause difficulty breathing, even for healthy individuals. Sensitive groups may experience immediate symptoms such as throat irritation and difficulty breathing, and they are advised to limit their time spent outdoors during periods of high air pollution.
Baltimore's air pollution has received significant attention, with efforts being made to improve the city's air quality. The Baltimore Clean Air Act aims to raise pollution standards and target industrial air pollution. Additionally, there are plans to establish affordable and easy-to-set-up air monitors in neighbourhoods with limited or outdated air quality data, empowering residents to take appropriate actions to protect themselves from harmful pollutants.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Baltimore City's air quality is considered unhealthy.
The air pollution in Baltimore City is caused by city sources, including building heating, traffic, and industry, as well as out-of-city and out-of-state sources carried over by wind. Baltimore's ozone problem, for example, is largely the result of power plant and vehicle emissions from other states.
Baltimore City's air pollution can cause throat irritation and difficulty breathing, even in healthy individuals with prolonged exposure. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with lung disease, may experience symptoms with shorter exposure, and are advised to reduce time spent outside.
The Baltimore Clean Air Act is a law that has been designed to raise pollution standards and bring about cleaner air in Baltimore City. The Act targets 38% of the city's industrial air pollution, and requires large incinerators to meet strict air pollution standards or close down.
Baltimore City has some of the most dangerous air to breathe in the nation. In 2014, Baltimore was ranked as the 81st most air-polluted locality in the US out of over 9,000, and it is the most polluted city in Maryland.
