Baltimore has unhealthy air quality. Here's what that means

BALTIMORE -- We are situated in the middle of dangerous and unhealthy air conditions.

Hundreds of wildfires in Canada have caused hazy and smoky conditions along the East Coast, especially here in Maryland.

As people walk outside, the smell and vision of smoke can cause irritation, especially for those with health issues.

"It's not a safe thing to be outside all day long, but if you have to do things, important things, that's understandable," Baltimore resident Sade Taylor said.    

"You can tell the difference. It's a haze and it's just weird," Baltimore resident Charles Perry said.    

An AIR QUALITY ALERT has been extended through Thursday due to unhealthy air quality across the region.   

Alert Day Forecast: Poor air quality continues Thursday

So, what does that mean?

The AQI (Air Quality Index) rates the level of air pollution from 0 to 500. Green (0-50) is good. Maroon (301 or higher) is hazardous.

Here in Maryland, we have an AQI of 183 (as of noon on Thursday), which is a Code Red, and considered to be unhealthy. Earlier, the AQI was more than 350, which is considered "hazardous."

That means people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

Everyone else is encouraged to do less strenuous activities  - like walking instead of running -  so you don't breathe as hard, shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors and be active outdoors when air quality is better.

The Environmental Protection Agency uses the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act, which include ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Many outdoor activities in Baltimore and surrounding counties were canceled Thursday.

Some flights along the East Coast are affected, although BWI said its operations remain normal.

"We've seen hazy days in the summer and areas where there's been forest fires, but nothing like this," Perry said.

The air quality Thursday was the worst it has been.

"There is a base layer of dirty air that is out there, but there could be hot spots," said Randy Mosier, Maryland Department of the Environment Deputy Program Manager.

Mosier said Maryland is seeing an increase in "fine particulate matter."

"This is an exceptional event," Mosier said. "The level of fine particles coming from this wildfire smoke is quite high."

Emergency room doctors told WJZ that you could experience itchy, watery eyes and a scratchy throat.

"It's actually these particles that can cause the most amount of harm for our health," said Dr. Revathi Jyothindran, Northwest Hospital Emergency Chair.

ER doctors are expecting more respiratory complaints, asthma flare-ups and bronchitis.

"Certainly, try to limit your time outside if you can help it," said said Dr. Jyothindran. "Turn on your air conditioners and keep them going."

Even as the air clears and faint fire smell dissipates, health officials say air quality may remain at unhealthy levels.

It's best to stay inside or wear a mask to filter out those particles until air quality measurements come down.

"We just never know and you got to be careful and you got to be cautious," Taylor said.

Thursday's Washington Nationals game was postponed due to air quality readings in the "very unhealthy" range in Washington D.C.

The orioles are set to start a homestand Friday.
Team officials told WJZ they will monitor the situation, but "hope to play all games as scheduled this weekend."

You can find your AQI report here.