Emery Sheriff’s job consists of standing outside and talking to people passing by, fundraising and canvassing for her company’s organization. Thursday’s air quality was made worse by smoke from Canadian wildfires and high temperatures, which she said made it hard for her to breathe and took a toll on her work performance as she stood beneath the hazy skies.
Most of Maryland is facing air quality that is harmful to sensitive groups — and the air is only projected to worsen on Friday with unhealthy conditions across the state, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.
High temperatures are exacerbating the effects of ozone pollution and the smoke traveling across the northeastern United States from southwestern Ontario’s wildfires, according to MDE.
Residents of Baltimore and beyond are facing the effects of the brutal conditions, beating the heat by taking additional breaks at work and staying health-conscious as they walk around the city sweating. The harsh weather impacts some more than others, like Sheriff, whose health conditions clash with her outdoor work.
“I feel delirious right now,” she said while canvassing outside of Paterson Park. “I stand for eight hours a day — it is taking a toll on my health.”
Canada wildfire brings smoke and hazy skies to the Baltimore region. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Wildfire smoke can contain particulate matter, which can settle into lungs and airways because of its size — nearly 30 times smaller than the width of human hair, Dr. Nidhi Kotwal, a pediatric pulmonologist at the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital, said in a statement. Those with underlying medical conditions, and both older adults and infants, are particularly susceptible to the health impacts of wildfire smoke, she added.
Sheriff, a Baltimore resident, has recently become increasingly sensitive to air quality, something that she attributes to a medical condition. She has found herself losing her train of thought as she speaks to strangers walking by, forgetting her rehearsed pitch and repeating herself.
“I have to focus more on the way my body feels, unfortunately, so a lot of my brain power is going toward my body rather than my speech,” she said.
Sheriff is used to consistently working out and easily meets her goal of 10,000 daily steps — but Thursday was a different story.
“I was walking maybe under a mile today, and I was out of breath,” she said. “I had to sit down multiple times, and that’s not normal for my system.”
Air Quality Index: Recent observations
Source: AirNow/Environmental Protection Agency
The air quality has been affecting employees across Baltimore — even resulting in the Thursday closure of Roland Park Pool in Baltimore. The pool closed to protect members and employees from the unhealthy air quality, according to Ken Benjes, Roland Park Pool’s general manager.
Craig Carter, a security and crossing guard at St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore’s camp, is making sure to drink extra water and take breaks in places he can cool off — such as the building or his car. He makes sure that the children can safely cross the street to Paterson Park and keeps unwanted guests out of the building.
“I could be in the middle of the street directing traffic, but guess what? I’m hot,” Carter, a Baltimore native, said. “I’m burning up — but I gotta deal with it.”
Baltimore resident Emery Sheriff talks outside of Patterson Park about how the unhealthy air quality has affected her health. (Ryan Bowie/Staff)
Despite the rough conditions, Carter said the kids seem to enjoy the activities put on by the camp, such as basketball and swimming.
Alexis Sisco, a Baltimore resident, mainly noticed the “thin veil of smoke” in the sky and the thicker air, but said she isn’t too bothered by the hotter temperatures.
Sisco puts some of the blame on global warming and pollution, emphasizing the need for people to clean up after themselves and be educated on ways to be eco-friendly.
“In the more high-density trash areas, it’s going to be hot because of the pollution, the smog, the smells carrying,” she said. “So, the cleaner, the cooler.”
Annapolis resident Patricia Benson, petting her dogs, Archie and Finny, in Patterson Park as she talks about the hot and humid weather. “It’s miserable,” she said. (Ryan Bowie/Staff)
Doctors recommend staying indoors and wearing masks when possible — especially for those who have an underlying condition that could worsen amid poor air quality.
Dr. Miriam Alexander with LifeBridge Health instructs people to check and replace their home air filters, avoid strenuous outdoor activities and keep windows closed.
“When the air quality index indicates unhealthy conditions, the goal is to reduce exposure,” she said in a statement.
Patricia Benson, an Annapolis resident, was taking her two dogs, Archie and Finny, Thursday afternoon. She said that this year’s wildfire impacts seem worse than those in previous years.
“Hazy, hot and humid for Maryland already,” she said. “It’s miserable.”
Have a news tip? Contact Nicole Pilsbury at npilsbury@baltsun.com.