BreatheWell St. Mary’s is a comprehensive air quality monitoring and health education initiative for St. Mary’s County. Through this initiative, outdoor air sensors have been installed across the county that will measure particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and other elements that may contribute to poor air quality and respiratory illnesses. SMCHD will share real-time air quality data and recommended protective health actions for community members.
Local Air Quality Dashboard
The Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Ambient Air Monitoring Network operates 24 air monitoring sites around the state and uses a variety of monitoring techniques to address pollutants circulating in the area.
Source: maps.health.maryland.gov/ephtportal/airQuality
Download the SMCHD Air Quality Report (1/1/22-6/12/23). Data is collected from the Air Quality Sensor stationed at the SMCHD main office in Leonardtown.
Fly A Flag!
Be on the lookout for color coded flags flying at St. Mary’s County Public Schools – These flags indicate air quality index and corresponding outdoor activity recommendations.
Air Quality Blog
How Air Quality Monitors Help Develop Greener Buildings
In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and construction, the quest for greener buildings continues. As environmental concerns take center stage, a fundamental aspect of this pursuit lies in ensuring the health and well-being of occupants. So begins the conversation of air quality in architecture. Many people wonder, do buildings cause air pollution? […]
Over 14,000 PurpleAir Air Quality Monitors Tested Against FEM/FRM Monitors
Scientists are raising concerns about low-cost air quality monitor. While these residential air quality monitors allow anyone to access air quality data, they can also be unreliable. Substandard air quality monitors can produce misleading information, putting communities and families at risk of air pollution-related illnesses. Additionally, it can lead to inaccurate studies and theories on air quality. So, how can you find an affordable air quality monitor you can trust? An air quality study tested the accuracy of over 14,000 PurpleAir air quality monitors against professional-standard FEM/FRM methods. And we’re discussing all about it in this article. […]
How PurpleAir Air Quality Data is Aiding NASA Research
How do you know if your air quality is good or bad? While you can use your nose and eyes to determine air quality, doing so isn’t always reliable. Air pollutants, like Particulate Matter (PM) are sometimes odorless and invisible to the naked eye—especially in low concentrations. As such, you won’t know you’re breathing in dangerous levels of air pollution until it has invaded your body. To effectively know your air quality, you need air quality data. But there is still much to learn beyond our current knowledge of air quality. Thankfully, NASA is launching the satellites MAIA and TEMPO to further study air quality and its impact on human health and the environment. […]