Hidden Backyard Pollution Hazards are Key for Clean Air

Clean Air Partners Air Quality Awareness Week campaign encourages Baltimore-Washington Region residents to shift backyard habits to reduce air pollution.

Air quality in the Baltimore-Washington area has improved over the last three decades, but clean air isn’t guaranteed – it takes action. This Air Quality Awareness Week (May 5-9, 2025), Clean Air Partners encourages residents to take steps to green their lawn routines.

Daily outdoor activities, such as mowing and fertilizing lawns, spraying insecticides and using a charcoal grill, emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Data show that an hour mowing with a gas powered lawn mower can produce the equivalent emissions as driving between Washington, D.C. and Cleveland, Ohio—over 300 miles. Using a backpack style gas leaf blower for one hour can create as much pollution as driving 1,100 miles in a gas car.

During the summer, these activities can contribute to the creation of ground-level ozone as well as toxic air pollutants that are harmful to breathe. Breathing in this pollution can cause health problems like trouble breathing, asthma attacks, and heart problems.

“We all want to breathe clean air, but most people are shocked by how much pollution their lawncare can produce,” said Jennifer Raley, Clean Air Partners Board Chair. “Switching from gas to electric tools, or making other sustainable swaps gives residents a hands-on way to cut emissions, reduce noise pollution, health risks, and maintenance costs. It’s a win for both people and the planet.”

To help residents make the switch from gas powered lawn tools to electric, Clean Air Partners is conducting a Gas Lawn Tools exchange in partnership with regional Ace Hardware Stores. Residents can sign up for an opportunity to recycle their gas-powered lawn mower, blower, or trimmer and get a new electric one in return.

Residents are encouraged to remember the following backyard tips:

• Pass on gas tools. Opt for electric and manual lawn care. Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can lower emissions but also noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time.
• Mow on low ozone days when air quality is good.
• Go organic for fertilizers and pesticides. Try natural alternatives like compost, alfalfa, fish meal and neem oil.
• Mow less often by letting grass grow a little taller.
• Make your own mulch by leaving grass clippings instead of bagging and sending to the landfill.

The spring campaign activities include the “Backyard Bubble,” an interactive traveling exhibit that tests participants’ knowledge of the impact that everyday outdoor activities have on air quality. Encased in a large plastic bubble, the backyard scene features lawn mowers, leaf blowers, grills and more. An interactive quiz attached to the display challenges residents to imagine "if you could see your emissions" as clouds of water vapor are released inside the bubble to simulate pollutants from less green choices.

For more information and resources for Air Quality Awareness week, including the Clean Air Partners Air Quality app, visit cleanairpartners.net.

Clean Air Partners is a public-private partnership educating the greater metropolitan Baltimore-Washington region about health risks associated with poor air quality and the impacts everyday actions have on the environment. Since 1997, Clean Air Partners has been dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to take simple actions to reduce air pollution, protect public health, and improve air quality. cleanairpartners.net

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This Air Quality Awareness Week (May 5-9, 2025), Clean Air Partners encourages residents to take steps to green their lawn routines and help reduce air pollution. Learn more by visiting CleanAirPartners.net