WASHINGTON — Clean Air Partners is urging Baltimore-Washington residents to reduce hidden sources of backyard pollution as the region marks Air Quality Awareness Week from May 4 to May 10.
The group said the region has made meaningful air-quality gains over the past decade, but maintaining that progress will require action from households and communities. Clean Air Partners is focusing this year on lawn care routines, including the pollution caused by gas-powered mowers, leaf blowers and other outdoor equipment.
Many residents may not realize that gas-powered lawn tools can contribute to smog by releasing harmful chemicals into the air. Exposure to those pollutants can worsen breathing problems and trigger asthma attacks, heart problems and other health issues.
Clean Air Partners said one hour of gas-powered mowing produces about the same emissions as driving a gas-powered car from Washington, D.C., to Cleveland, a distance of more than 300 miles. The group said using a backpack-style gas leaf blower for one hour can create as much pollution as driving a gas-powered car for more than 1,100 miles.
“The Baltimore-Washington area has worked hard to improve its air quality over the years, and that progress is something we should all be proud of,” said Mike Sowko, Clean Air Partners board chair. “But clean air is not something we can take for granted. The choices we make starting at home—the tools we use, the products we apply—add up across an entire region.”
With warmer weather increasing the risk of poor air-quality days, Clean Air Partners is encouraging residents to switch to electric or manual lawn equipment, mow when ozone levels are low and use natural fertilizers and pesticides such as compost, alfalfa, fish meal and neem oil.
The group also recommends mowing less often, allowing grass to grow slightly taller, leaving grass clippings on the lawn as mulch and planting native plants to reduce turf area and support pollinators.
Clean Air Partners said it will bring the campaign into local communities through a series of pop-up events featuring its educational “Backyard Bubble” demonstration. The hands-on exhibit is designed to help participants visualize how common outdoor activities affect air quality.
