Maryland air pollution continues to worsen, report finds

Mathew Schumer, The Baltimore Sun on Apr 25, 2025

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BALTIMORE — Maryland counties’ air pollution continues to worsen, especially in Baltimore County, according to a newly published report, which found more ozone, smog and fine particles aloft across the state.

In its most recent “State of the Air” report, documenting air quality data from 2021 to 2023, the American Lung Association found that almost all Maryland counties reported worsening air quality in terms of both ozone smog and fine particle pollution from last year’s report. Of the state’s 24 counties, Maryland reports data on particle pollution in only 11, and high ozone days in 15.

The report said wildfire smoke from Canada in 2023 that moved into the state likely contributed to Maryland’s poorer air quality.

Baltimore, Harford, and Prince George’s counties received “F” grades for ozone smog in the report, with each seeing more than 10 days of high ozone concentrations during the reporting period. In the same period, Garrett County got an “A” rating, with no days of high ozone concentrations.

Overall, the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington area, encompassing more than half Maryland’s counties, ranked 36th worst in the country for ozone pollution, and 2nd worst in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The report found that nearly half of all Americans are living in areas with unhealthy air pollution.

In measuring particle concentrations statewide, the report gave every recorded county in Maryland a passing grade, but found that they all revealed worse levels of particle pollution from last year’s report. While Baltimore and Cecil Counties earned “D” grades in this category, Baltimore City received an “A.”

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