Howard University Research: Measuring Indoor Air Quality in Baltimore Residents’ Homes

CBS News Baltimore has brought to light a study on air pollution that hits close to home for Baltimore residents. Conducted by a research team from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Howard University, the study involves parishioners from St. James Episcopal Church in Baltimore. They are using Atmocube air quality monitors to measure air pollutants and temperature within homes.

Synthetic building materials, household products, poor ventilation, and other factors can increase the concentration of CO2, particulate matter, and formaldehyde in indoor air, impacting the level of air pollution.

The poor outdoor air quality from the Canadian wildfires further fueled the motivation for this study, as Baltimore residents, like Richard Hackett, started to feel sick during the event.

The study underscores the urgent need for awareness and action in urban and underserved communities disproportionately affected by pollution and extreme heat.

Professor Terri Adams outlines the study's goals: to increase awareness about indoor air quality and collect data that can inform policymakers on where to direct resources, for example, air conditioners, air filters, and tree planting.

The full article and video are available on the CBS News Baltimore website.