The Baltimore and Washington areas are the two smoggiest cities on the East Coast, according to a report released Wednesday. The neighboring metro areas also tied for sixth in the nation, topped by five cities in California, said the report from advocacy group Environment Maryland.
Baltimore and Washington had 33 days last year and 23 days from Jan. 1 until Aug. 21 this year in which ozone, the main component of smog, exceeded federal standards, according to the report. It said ozone was a problem an additional 17 days under more stringent standards, which the group supports. President Obama recently decided not to require the more stringent pollution controls, after businesses and other groups complained they would hurt the faltering economy.
Maryland Department of the Environment officials said they could not comment on the group’s report because they were reviewing it. However, they maintained that the state was a leader in air quality regulation.
“Over the past 20 years, air quality in Maryland has improved dramatically,” said spokesman Jay Apperson. “The Maryland Healthy Air Act set benchmarks and those benchmarks are being met.”
Apperson also said that the Maryland Clean Cars Program mimics California’s, the most stringent in the nation. Apperson said that even though Maryland enforces strict rules, outside factors such as the state’s geography affect air quality.
“Up to 70 percent of air pollution comes from out of state,” Apperson said. “A lot of pollution blows in from the Ohio River Valley and the Appalachians.”
