Baltimore haze FAQ: DIY box fan filter, protect your pug and other facts about unhealthy air

Jan 04, 2024

Hazardous smoke particles from raging Canadian wildfires engulfed Baltimore Wednesday, casting a harmful haze around the city.

Seniors, pregnant women, children and those with respiratory and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency warns paper, comfort or dust masks will not protect your lungs against smoke, but a properly worn N95 mask can offer some protection from breathing in harmful particles.

The Charm City has a high rate of asthma compared to Maryland and the rest of the country. Asthma — a disease that constricts airways in the lungs and causes wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and trouble breathing — affects 13.7% of adults in Baltimore, compared to 9% across the state and country, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

According to census data, 14.1% of Baltimore City's population is 65 and older compared to 17.9% in Baltimore County.

The National Weather Service forecasts that the smoke will linger around Maryland through at least Friday. The Environmental Protection Agency publishes regular air quality reports by zip code at AirNow.gov.

With an especially high concentration of breathable particles that can enter the lungs or even the bloodstream, air in Baltimore has been designated as unhealthy Wednesday by the EPA. The agency recommends sensitive groups avoid strenuous activities while others should opt for less strenuous options so you don't breathe as hard. Breathing particle pollution made up of acids, inorganic compounds, organic chemicals, soot, metals, soil, dust, biological materials, houses, cars or anything else that might have burned in the wildfire, is the principal public health threat from wildfire smoke.

The air quality is expected to improve and return to a moderate designation by Friday. Still, any clean air later this week may be temporary as wildfires continue to burn across Canada, where nearly one million acres have burned over the past two weeks. The Quebec region is currently experiencing over 160 forest fires. The total number of wildfires in Canada is well over 400, according to Canadian authorities in the Associated Press.

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The CDC recommends finding a room that can be closed off from outside air. Without a commercial or industrial air filters, an effective DIY air filtration device can also be made at home using a box fan and common air filters.

Wildfire smokes is also harmful to furry and feathered family members. The EPA suggests watching out for coughing, runny noses and itchy eyes of pets and warns smoke is especially harmful to pet birds. According to the American Kennel Club, breeds with short snouts such as pugs or bulldogs, as well as puppies and senior dogs, may be especially at risk if inhaling too much smoke.

The Orioles are set to return to Baltimore to face the Royals Friday night, when air quality is supposed to return closer to normal. Tuesday night in Pennsylvania, the Orioles’ Triple-A team Norfolk Tides game at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was postponed. Wednesday afternoon, the City of Annapolis cancelled all outdoor events for the rest of the day, including swimming the municipal pool.