Clean Air
DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION
Baltimore is vulnerable to episodes of poor air quality, causing reduced productivity, school absenteeism, and elevated mortality. While outdoor air quality has improved in recent years, Baltimore currently has a non-attainment status for ozone, and nearby Anne-Arundel county has a non-attainment status for SO2, raising concerns in the city for this pollutant as well. Higher temperatures promote the formation of pollutants, and energy production rises on hotter days, meaning that absent action, climate change will worsen air quality. Reducing code severe pollution events or 'Code Red' days is critical to the safety, health, and livability of Baltimore.
CURRENT STATUS
Air quality has improved in recent years, particularly for ozone and PM 2.5, even though temperatures have risen. At the Port of Baltimore, retrofits of dray trucks improved particulate emissions, trees planting campaigns have added to the tree canopy, and a new protected bike lane connects miles of the city. Additionally, air quality was addressed in the 2013 All Hazards Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan, called the DP3 plan. Since 2013, several goals, strategies and actions have been carried out in the most vulnerable areas of the city. The DP3 will be updated in 2017.
EQUITY INDICATORS
Poor air quality affects the health of Baltimore’s most vulnerable residents: the elderly, the young, and the poor. Baltimore’s significant social and economic issues are and will be further exacerbated by poor air quality. Equity will be addressed by focusing on measurements and outreach in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. Directing our efforts in these neighborhoods strengthens our city overall; it helps empower stakeholders, builds trust, ensure basic needs are being met, and promotes community cohesiveness.
STRATEGIES
1. Inventory air quality variability throughout the City and increase community awareness of air quality through education and outreach
Action 1 - Partner with researchers at Johns Hopkins University to install air quality monitors throughout the city and determine how air quality varies within the city
Action 2 – Integrate air quality education of Code Red and Code Yellow days into community preparedness workshops focused on community engagement and assist in building robust networks between the City and community members
Action 3 - Link ongoing City efforts with Air Quality Awareness Week by hosting workshops in residential communities throughout the city
2. Collaborate with local industrial operations to reduce and minimize the release of noxious odors in the community
Action 1 - Together with emitters, co-develop an alert system that would encourage power generation facilities to voluntarily reduce emissions on peak days
Action 2 - Work with regional agencies and transportation companies to minimize oil train shipments & reduce related air toxic emissions
Action 3 - Work with the Port of Baltimore and MDE to further reduce dray truck emissions through retrofits and replacements
3. Develop programs that can improve indoor air quality for children and elderly residents
Action 1 - Implement an IAQ management program for the school district that can centrally monitor issues, log complaints and address problems
Action 2 - Partner with researchers to conduct study examining relationship between indoor air quality and health in schools in at risk neighborhoods
Action 3 - Enact education campaign for older residents targeting residents with older houses that addresses
METRICS FOR SUCCESS
Strategy 1: Deploy air quality monitors and implement corresponding outreach programs in at least ten neighborhoods within Baltimore City
Strategy 2: Demonstrate a decrease in levels of criteria pollutants and/or air toxics in Baltimore.
Strategy 3: Develop programs that can improve indoor air quality in at least 10 public schools and include outreach and education in these programs