Breathe Free Montgomery is an advocacy group for people living in Montgomery County, Maryland with respiratory ailments including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and those recovering from lung damage from COVID-19. Over 200,000 residents of Montgomery County suffer from respiratory ailments, some of which are life threatening. The incidence of respiratory ailments is highest among the elderly, minorities, and young children.
Our mission is to advocate with the County, State and federal government to support actions and legislation to protect all residents by promoting clean air and reducing air pollution including smoke and exhaust fumes. Everyone should have the right to breathe clean air!
In the News:
Nearly 2 in 5 Americans breathe unhealthy air. Why it’s getting worse. Washington Post 04/24/2024
Wildfire smoke may be having a negative impact on your mental health. Washington Post 07/06/2023
Maryland among 10 states planning to sue EPA over standards for residential wood-burning stoves. CBS News Baltimore 07/03/2023
A potential connection between dementia and air pollution. Washington Post 09/19/2022
That cozy fireplace could be hazardous to your health. Cleveland Clinic 10/1/2020
Study: Hundreds in MD die prematurely from vehicle emissions. Maryland Matters 6/10/2021
NIH launches trial of monoclonal antibody to treat asthma in urban youth. National Institutes of Health News Releases 06/02/2022
Did you know?
Small particulates known as PM 2.5 are a common lung irritant. PM 2.5 comes primarily from combustion. Fireplaces, car engines, and coal- or natural gas–fired power plants are all major PM 2.5 sources.
The negative impacts of wood smoke on human health are well-established. The American Lung Association states that “Emissions from wood smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, lung cancer, and premature death, among other health effects.”
Wood burning decreases air quality through production of small particulates which can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory distress, as well as carbon monoxide. Wood smoke also contains carcinogens and toxic chemicals including polyaromatic hydrocarbons and formaldehyde
Asthma and respiratory ailments are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means reasonable accommodation, including the ability to request seating in public venues to avoid smoke, perfumes and other irritants.
Many hospitals are no longer using nebulizers to treat asthmatics because of the concern of airborne spreading of germs such as COVID and the flu virus.
Recovery from COVID-19 can involve many months to restore full respiratory function.
“Everyone should have the right to breathe clean air!”
Get involved
Let your Montgomery Council members, all At-large and for your district, and County Executive know that you care about breathing clean air. For information about Council Members, including profiles, email information, and an interactive map to confirm your district, click here.
To contact the Montgomery County Executive, click here.
To find your Maryland state elected officials with this search tool called Maryland Elect, Click here.