Maryland air quality expected to worsen as Canadian wildfire smoke moves in
Maryland will be under a "code red" air quality alert on Friday, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to make its way into the Mid-Atlantic.
Fine particulate matter from the smoke is mixing with high levels of ground-level ozone that we typically see during extreme heat.
The combination is making for hazy, hot conditions that can be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Air quality alert for Baltimore and beyond
A "code orange" air quality alert is already in effect across Maryland on Thursday and will be upgraded to a "code red" on Friday.
On Thursday, smoke began making its way from the upper levels of the atmosphere down to the surface. The air quality is expected to worsen Thursday into Friday, as an even more expansive plume of smoke settles into the region.
While the heat won't be as extreme on Friday or into the weekend, poor air quality will continue, despite the drop in temperatures.
It's the busiest time of year for service technicians like Rick Davis at AJ Michaels AC, Heating and Plumbing.
"This time of year, on days like this, we're at least 40 percent more. Our phones will not stop ringing today," Davis said, adding, "Our number one service call is, 'Hey, this unit is not working, my house is 78 degrees, and we have it set on 72, and it's not moving.' And then we have to go through explaining to them why, because all that sun is beating on the roof, all that heat is sitting in the attic, the house is hot, and the units just can't keep up with it."
AQI unhealthy for sensitive groups
A "code orange" alert means the air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly and people suffering from asthma, heart or lung diseases. Red, however, means the air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
Poor air quality can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, or fatigue, and it can aggravate existing chronic health issues.
"The most important thing we are worried about with wildfires is the PM 2.5 concentration. What that means is particulate matter that is under 2.5 microns in size," said Dr. Nidhi Kotwal, a pediatric pulmonologist at UMMC.
Dr. Kotwal explained that those particles caused by the fires can get into airways, raising concerns for vulnerable populations.
"Anybody who has certain respiratory conditions, like asthma or COPD, or even underlying heart conditions and other respiratory diseases, is more likely to get harm because of these particles, because they already have certain level of airway inflammation going on," she said.
If people have to go out, she recommends wearing a mask and setting your car ventilation to recirculate air. But better yet, stay home and create a clean room with an air purifier, making sure your air filters are fresh and clean.
"Air filters are the number one thing, you've gotta have clean air filters," said Davis. "The system could be acting up just because your air filter is dirty."
The Maryland Department of Health says there have been 19 heat-related deaths so far this year, including eight during the extreme heat earlier this month. There were also nearly 500 emergency room visits because of heat-related illnesses.