Air Purification Systems Help Marylanders Stay Safe and Healthy

Air pollution is a common concern in homes across Maryland. The state’s mix of coastal humidity, mountain valleys, and older housing make conditions ripe for pollutants like mold, bacteria, ozone, and radon to build up.

These contaminants cause a variety of health issues, including allergies, respiratory irritation, headaches, and fatigue. Radon, carbon monoxide exposure, and viruses are common threats in the winter when tightly sealed homes trap pollutants and lower humidity.

Marylanders can reduce indoor air contaminants by increasing ventilation, using whole-house air purifiers, keeping their homes clean, and controlling moisture levels. Maple Air offers an air purification device that uses plasma to neutralize odors at the source, providing cleaner, fresher air throughout your home.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in Maryland

Maryland residents spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, making air quality a major factor in their health, comfort, and productivity. Various regional and structural factors can affect air quality here:

• High humidity along the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore, in places like Cambridge and Ocean City, promotes mold and higher allergen levels.
• Urban and suburban density in central Maryland, including Glen Burnie, Crofton, Baltimore, and Annapolis, can reduce natural ventilation and increase pollutant buildup.
• Older homes with aging HVAC systems in towns like Bel Air and Cockeysville may circulate dust, pollen, and other indoor contaminants.
• New construction and renovations in rapidly growing areas such as Columbia, Rockville, Bethesda, and Upper Marlboro can increase VOC exposure from paint, flooring, adhesives, and new furnishings.
• Seasonal allergens in wooded or agricultural areas – including Frederick County, Howard County, Salisbury, and Edgewater – are able to gather indoors and trigger respiratory irritation.

This year’s flu season could be worse than usual across Maryland. The new Type A “K” flu variant is spreading fast, and only about 25% of Marylanders have gotten their flu shot so far.

If you’re hosting dinner parties or holiday gatherings this winter, a whole-home air purifier can help keep the air cleaner and reduce the chance of spreading the flu. Getting a flu shot and keeping indoor air moving are easy ways to protect yourself and your guests this season.

Common Indoor Air Contaminants in Maryland Homes

Mold and Moisture-Related Fungi

All Maryland homes are at risk for mold, especially in humid areas near the coast. Mold grows in damp, dark spaces such as basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms, and it can be hard to spot because it often hides in walls, behind flooring, or inside HVAC systems. It usually develops where leaks or moisture go unnoticed, making early detection and prevention essential.

Mold releases spores that may travel through your HVAC system, causing potential health issues such as allergies, asthma flare-ups, respiratory illnesses, and other breathing difficulties.

To prevent mold from growing, clean up damp areas, improve ventilation, and maintain water-using appliances. Air purifiers can remove spores from the air to keep your home healthier and more comfortable.

Mold is also a concern in office buildings, schools, and other public places. Recently, staff and parents at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD, have raised concerns about visible mold and water damage, with some cases linked to health issues like allergic reactions. Despite ongoing monitoring, the problem persists, highlighting the importance of addressing indoor air quality in Maryland schools and homes.

Biological Contaminants

Biological contaminants are another common source of indoor air pollution in Maryland homes. Everyday factors like pets, dust, and standing water can introduce bacteria, dander, and other allergens into the air, affecting comfort and health.

In areas like Salisbury, Edgewater, and Frederick and Howard counties, seasonal allergens are a common concern during the spring and summer. Pollen, spores, and other particles gather indoors in damp areas, increasing the risk of allergies and respiratory irritation.

VOCs

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals released from items such as paint, building materials, cleaners, and new furniture. When these chemicals “off-gas” vapors at room temperature, they may cause dizziness, headaches, and respiratory irritation.

Long-term exposure may cause serious health issues such as nervous system and liver damage. VOCs tend to build up more quickly in sealed  homes during colder months when windows stay closed.

Carbon Monoxide & Combustion Gases

Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the “silent killer” because it’s an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. CO can seep into living areas when fuel-burning appliances don’t burn fuel completely. Gas furnaces, stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces are capable of releasing carbon monoxide, allowing it to spread through the home if they aren’t properly vented or maintained.

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it blocks oxygen in the body. Even low exposure may cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea, while higher levels can lead to confusion or loss of consciousness, often without any warning signs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 400 people die each year across the country from CO exposure.

Maple Air is available at Costello’s Hearth & Spa, which has locations across Maryland.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas from uranium decay in soil and rocks. It enters homes, especially basements, through foundation cracks, gaps, and well water. Radon is the main cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.

In Maryland, higher radon risks are found in counties with granite and shale rock like Frederick, Carroll, Howard, Baltimore, and Montgomery counties, plus areas with uranium-rich soil, such as parts of Anne Arundel and Calvert counties. Since radon affects all of Maryland, homeowners should test for it every two years.

Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Most common contaminants in Maryland homes are invisible, making detection difficult. Common signs include:

• Health issues. If family members are getting sick more often, your home’s air may be partly to blame. The pollutants listed above contribute to headaches, fatigue, allergy symptoms, coughing, respiratory irritation, and even worsening asthma or other lung conditions.
• Musty odors or visible mold. Mold gives off a distinct, unpleasant smell that’s described as musty, damp, or earthy – similar to rotting leaves or wet wood. If you notice these odors, search your basement or crawlspace for hidden mold or moisture problems.
• Chemical smells. Chemical smells from paints, cleaners, or new furniture are often a sign of air quality issues.
• Excess humidity or condensation: Persistent dampness on windows, walls, or ceilings indicates high humidity, which encourages mold and dust mites.
• Dust buildup: Unusually large amounts of dust or debris settling quickly signal that your ventilation or filtration isn’t working effectively.
• Stale or stuffy air: If rooms feel constantly heavy or stagnant, it could mean poor air circulation or trapped pollutants.

How to Improve IAQ in Maryland Homes

Testing & Assessment

The only way to truly understand the air quality in your Maryland home is to have it professionally tested. During an air quality inspection, a technician will look for visible mold, water damage, ventilation problems, and potential chemical sources.

They use tools like moisture meters, air monitors, and gas detectors to measure mold spores, allergens, VOCs, carbon monoxide, radon, and other contaminants. Samples are often sent to a lab for analysis.

Ventilation

Improving your home’s airflow can prevent contaminants such as spores, allergens, and dander from settling on surfaces throughout your home.

• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and the kitchen when bathing and cooking, respectively, to remove odors and pollutants.
• Run your HVAC system in “fan mode.” This keeps air circulating throughout your home even when the system isn’t running to reduce pollutants.

Humidity Control

If you’re constantly battling high humidity in the summer and low levels in the winter, your home may need help balancing moisture. Installing a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier maintains healthy levels year-round.

CO Detectors

You can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide issues by maintaining fuel-burning appliances, scheduling annual furnace and water-heater checkups, keeping vents and chimneys clear, and installing CO detectors on every level.

Plasma Air Purifiers

The best defense against contaminants is installing a whole-house plasma air purifier. Maple Air’s Pür Plasma technology neutralizes contaminants such as ozone, gases, bacteria, and mold spores up to 15 times better than outdated technology.

Installed directly in your air duct system, Maple Air provides 24/7 air purification for a safer, fresher environment. It’s ozone-free, easy to install, and low-maintenance. Top brands such as Golds Gym, Hilton Hotels, and Penn State trust Maple Air, with testing showing a 90% decrease in airborne pollutants.

Maple Air is the only IAQ device that is proven to be effective against pathogens, fungi, and harmful gases and VOCs.

Get Fresher Air Now in Your Maryland Home

Many Maryland homes hide common contaminants like mold, allergens, VOCs, radon, and carbon monoxide that can quietly affect your health. But you don’t have to live with polluted air. Improving ventilation, keeping up with regular cleaning, testing your indoor air, and using air purification make a big difference. Contact Maple Air today to learn more about our revolutionary system and take the first step toward healthier air in your home.