Notice October 25, 2024: The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) phone system has returned to normal operations. Community members can contact SMCHD at 301-475-4330.

Air Quality Blog Archive

2024


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? […]

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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. […]

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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. […]

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Can Air Pollution Affect Your Sleep Quality?

There’s nothing better than feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep. But the fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in your air can prevent you from getting the much-needed rest. After all, a stuffy nose and an itchy throat can make it difficult to fall asleep. Beyond that, multiple studies have discovered that poor air quality causes poor sleep quality—and all the health problems that come with it. These include hypoxia, insomnia, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues. In this article, we’ll dive into the research on air pollution and sleep. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to raise your air quality for a better night’s sleep. […]

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Advocating for Air Quality Policies in Your Local Community

Air pollution is a pressing global issue affecting millions of people’s health and well-being worldwide. While governments and international organizations are taking steps to address this problem, it’s equally important for individuals to advocate for air quality policies in their local communities. By actively participating in local initiatives and promoting air pollution awareness, you can significantly improve the air quality for yourself and future generations. Here, we will explore practical ways to advocate for air quality policies in your local community. […]

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How a Community Project Brings Awareness to Revelstoke Air Quality

It only takes one person to start a movement. They only need community concern, a platform, and air quality monitors. With these three tools, they can shed light on their community’s air quality. In return, it can empower data-driven actions that help mitigate and minimize air pollution. This is precisely what Ian Houghton did when he started an air quality project for Revelstoke that helped the entire city. […]

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