Maryland

Montgomery Co. renters raise alarm over high levels of nitrogen dioxide in apartments – WTOP News

Published

2 months ago

October 5, 2024

Montgomery Co. renters raise alarm over high levels of nitrogen dioxide in apartments – WTOP News

State funding can help replace gas appliances for renters, but landlords are slow to take advantage

This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.

Leila invites a reporter into her two-bedroom apartment at Cider Mill, an 864-unit complex in Montgomery Village, where she lives with her three school-age children in a largely African immigrant and Latino neighborhood.

She walks into her tiny kitchen and fires up all four gas burners on the stove, as if to prepare a big meal. But Leila – who has asked us not to use her real name – is not cooking on this day.

This is a test.

In her hand, she holds a monitor to measure nitrogen dioxide or NO2, a toxic gas that contributes to respiratory infections, increased cases of asthma and is known to harm brain development in children.

The Environmental Protection Agency warns that outdoor exposure to NO2 at concentrations of 150-200 parts per billion [ppb] is unhealthy, especially for people with lung disease, older adults and children with asthma, like Leila’s 13-year-old-son.

Within 10 minutes a beeping alarm registers 200ppb. The readings continue to rise, and 15 minutes after Leila turns off the burners, she takes a final reading of 220ppb, a range that EPA calls very unhealthy outdoors.

The EPA has no NO2 indoor standards.

Leila’s test is just one of more than 300 that volunteers and staff with the group Action in Montgomery, or AIM, have conducted at five apartment complexes in Montgomery County. More than half of the units registered unhealthy levels of NO2, said AIM Director Cynthia Marshall. She said a final report will be issued later this year.

“I was motivated to do these tests to understand why our families are suffering,” Leila said, troubled by high readings. “[We] see a high rate of absenteeism and wonder why they miss so much school and can’t concentrate on learning with chemicals in their heads.”

Her advocacy began at the local elementary school, where she now heads the PTA. “We organized for a new school building, and for high quality after-school programs,” she said.

Leila then engaged other parents through AIM, which Marshall said follows the iron rule: “Never do for anyone what they can do for themselves.”

Increased activism led to a leadership role with AIM, where she recruited Ana Argueta, PTA President at JoAnn Leleck Elementary in Silver Spring, to knock on doors and lobby in Annapolis for the 2024 Maryland EmPOWER Act.

“People affected by the issue are involved in the organizing, the turnout of people power, the negotiation with elected officials, and the meetings,” Marshall said. “In 2024 we worked with a coalition, including People Acting Together in Howard, Anne Arundel Connecting Together, Interfaith Power and Light and the Sierra Club to pass EmPOWER reform in Maryland to prioritize funding for energy upgrades in low-income housing.”

AIM also worked with the governor’s staff to make electrification a priority for low-income and multifamily housing.

A team of AIM leaders, joined by Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery), brought their case to Kay Management, which owns two of the five buildings tested by AIM, meeting with Kay President Clark Melillo.

“We [asked for] help to clean the air in our apartments, the air that our children breathe,” Argueta said.

They pointed to funds they said could pay for the shift from gas to electric appliances that AIM advocates are calling for. Those include $50 million in state funds set aside in February to electrify hospitals, schools and multifamily housing, $69 million for energy-efficient home improvements from the Inflation Reduction Act as well as state funds to help low-income residents with energy efficiency and conservation, money set aside from a rate assessment on all home utility bills.

“We have worked to get the efficiency and electrification statute right for a number of years,” Charkoudian said. “House Bill 169 from last year finally established more equity in our EmPOWER Program and has led to a huge increase in the funds available for efficiency for affordable housing.

“This [2024] session, we passed the EmPOWER reform to allow for beneficial electrification,” or replacing fossil fuel appliances with electric alternatives that reduce toxic emissions, she said. Before that change, Charkoudian said, residents could install a more-efficient stove, but could not go from gas to electric.

“This [law] puts us into a really strong position to go to these multifamily building owners and say, ‘OK, let’s get this done now.’ We need to get these funds invested in our communities,” she said.

Kay Management did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but Marshall said she is cautiously optimistic following the meeting.

“My understanding is that Kay is in the process of applying for funds for energy upgrades and electrification, and hope that HOC[Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission] and other apartment owners will follow Kay Management’s lead, pursuing electrification and energy upgrades,” she said.

HOC owns Cider Mill, where Leila lives. In a statement, HOC Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications Tia Blount said: “Grady Management, our third-party manager at Cider Mill has not reported any unsafe levels of NO2 at the property. If there is evidence or date to the contrary, we would welcome an opportunity to investigate further and make any remediation found to be necessary.”

Looking ahead, Charkoudian said she will push for a streamlined process, a one-stop shop for funding and the involvement of various agencies like the Maryland Energy Administration and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Nicola Tran, DHCD’s director of housing and building energy programs, said a Green and Healthy Task Force, mandated in a 2023 bill and coordinated by the department, is working to identify all existing and potential future funding available for comprehensive housing upgrades that address both greenhouse gas savings, rehabilitation, and safety.

“The report will be issued in December with a plan to drive those goals forward,” she said.

Leila said this is not the life she expected when she came to the United States in 2003. Without a working exhaust fan in her apartment, the immigrant from Niger said she has stopped using the burners on her stove and cooks instead on an induction hot plate with a single pot or pan.

Leila says the air quality is not acceptable, not for her, not for her children, not for anyone. “We were living like we were being ignored,” she said.

But she and her team, all women and all immigrants from Africa, Mexico, Central and South America, see themselves as part of the solution.

“When we come together, we have a say about our health, the air we breathe, how we are living,” she said. “We don’t want to be left behind.”

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Maryland

November 21 Colder Winds Bring Snow To Central Maryland And Winter Storm Warning In The Mountains – Just In Weather

Published

3 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

November 21 Colder Winds Bring Snow To Central Maryland And Winter Storm Warning In The Mountains – Just In Weather

November 21, 2024

Thursday Morning Report

The squall line last night validated and even overachieved expectations. Winds gusted over 50 mph in many areas AND much needed rainfall added up to 0.94” in Baltimore through midnight. More was added afterward.

Colder air and a large upper-level trough will settle in Pennsylvania on Friday. This will bring in a taste of winter. The expectations for snow have now expanded to Central Maryland, and yes, it might be cold enough for some stickage on grassy areas.

A Winter Storm Warning is in place for the high mountains of far Western Maryland and West Virginia. Snow is still expected to reach 1-foot accumulation along with 50 mph winds.

Let’s take a look……

Morning Surface Weather

Storm 1, which brought us rain and wind, is moving away and sending much-needed rain to the drought areas of Metro New York and New England.

Storm 2 is the main event that will pivot from the Great Lakes and nearly stall in Pennsylvania on Friday. This will include a strong upper-level source of cold air and instability. Snow will spread our way and enhance over the Appalachian mountains.

Weather Preview

Storm Animation Today through Saturday Night

Watch the main storm spin in PA and pivot the next wave of energy that will enhance the snow on Friday, then pull away this weekend.

November 21 weather snow rain storm

Jet Stream Friday Morning

The core of the cold air will be over our region. There is a trough swinging through the Southeast US with enough enhanced energy to develop snow.

November 21 weather jet stream cold Friday

Snow and Rain Mix Friday

Notice the blue shading (snow) into metro Baltimore. A closer look is below.

TODAY

Wind Forecast 7 AM to 7 PM

November 21 weather wind forecast Thursday

Wind Gusts at Noon

The stronger winds will be moving east, so it will be less windy this afternoon.

November 21 weather wind forecast Thursday noon

Radar Simulation: Noon to Midnight

There will be some showers with rain and maybe flakes after dark.

Heavy snow will get going in the mountains.

November 21 weather rain snow radar Thursday

Afternoon Temperatures

November 21 weather temperatures Thursday afternoon

Radar Simulation Tonight

7 PM Wed to 7 AM Thu

CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore

TODAY November 21

Sunrise at 6:57 AM

Sunset at 4:48 PM

Normal Low in Baltimore: 35ºF

Record 16ºF in 1951

Normal High in Baltimore: 55ºF

Record 79ºF 1900

Baltimore Drought Update

0.94” of rain fell Thursday… The updated deficit:
6.66 inches BELOW AVERAGE rainfall since September 1st
7.12 inches BELOW AVERAGE rainfall since January 1st
THE BURN BAN REMAINS IN PLACE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22

Turning colder with developing snow from the North, and it will reach the northern suburbs during the morning.

Snow will mix with rain near and south of Baltimore.

Heavy snow will be raging in the mountains.

Morning Temperatures

November 21 weather temperatures Friday morning

Morning Radar Simulation

November 21 weather snow radar Friday morning

Radar Forecast 7 AM to Midnight

November 21 weather snow radar Friday

Winds At Noon

November 21 weather wind forecast Friday noon

Afternoon Radar

November 21 weather snow radar Friday afternoon

Afternoon Temperatures

November 21 weather temperatures Friday afternoon

WINTER STORM WARNING

This includes Garrett County, MD, and the high mountains of PA and WV.

Snow 6 to 12+ inches with wind gusts to 50 mph.

Note this is over the extreme drought region and is much needed.

November 21 Winter Storm Warning Snow

Snow Roads Profile

November 21 snow forecast Maryland road profile

Snow Forecast Models

There is a lot of agreement between the GFS and ECMWF.

Yes, I see a dusting or more on the grassy areas north of Baltimore.

GFS

November 21 weather snow forecast GFS

ECMWF

November 21 weather snow forecast ECMWF

NAM 3Km

November 21 weather snow forecast NAM

In Case You Missed It

My Winter Outlook Report

Winter 2024 to 2025 Snow Forecast Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia Delaware

7 Day Forecast

Colder air will continue to spill in through Saturday.
Some rain showers later today with a mix of flakes.
Heavy snow develops in the mountains.
Snow and mixed showers will expand into Central Maryland on Friday.
Briefly mild early next week. Then, rain on Wednesday may set up a colder Thanksgiving storm.

November 21 weather forecast 7 day Friday

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SCHEDULE A WEATHER BASED STEM ASSEMBLY

Severe Weather: Storm Smart October and next spring

Winter Weather FITF (Faith in the Flakes): November To March

Click to see more and send a request for your school.

School Weather Assemblies Storm Smart FITF

THANK YOU:

Baltimore Magazine Readers Choice Best Of Baltimore

Maryland Trek 11 Day 7 Completed Sat August 10

We raised OVER $104,000 for Just In Power Kids – AND Still Collecting More

The annual event: Hiking and biking 329 miles in 7 days between The Summit of Wisp to Ocean City.

Each day, we honor a kid and their family’s cancer journey.

Fundraising is for Just In Power Kids: Funding Free Holistic Programs. I never have and never will take a penny. It is all for our nonprofit to operate.

Click here or the image to donate:

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region.

One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.

There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF

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Maryland

Damp and cold end to Maryland’s week

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Damp and cold end to Maryland’s week – CBS Baltimore

Watch CBS News

Damp and cold end to Maryland’s week

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Maryland

Ex-teacher who sexually abused 14-year-old Maryland student to serve fraction of 30-year sentence

Published

18 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

$Ex-teacher who sexually abused 14-year-old Maryland student to serve fraction of 30-year sentence$

A former middle school teacher who repeatedly sexually abused a 14-year-old student in Maryland has been sentenced to three decades in prison, but she’ll only serve one year, a judge ruled.

Melissa Marie Curtis, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of a third-degree sex offense on June 20, according to information from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and District Court of Maryland court papers obtained by USA TODAY on Wednesday.

The Montgomery County Police Department initiated an investigation in early October 2023 when the eighth-grade victim, now an adult, reported he was sexually abused by Curtis who was a teacher at Montgomery Village Middle School, according to a previous news release from the agency.

At the time of the offenses, detectives reported, the student was 14 years old and Curtis was 22.

Judge: Teacher to serve 12 months in jail

Curtis, who is from the town of Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office told USA TODAY Wednesday.

But Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Theresa Chernosky suspended most of Curtis’ sentence, allowing her to serve 12 months year in jail followed by five years of supervised probation, the spokesperson said.

When she is released, Curtis must register as a sex offender, the spokesperson said, and will not be permitted to have unsupervised contact with minors other than her children.

The prosecutors office did not respond to a request for comment about the sentencing.

Teacher abused 14-year-old in classroom, car, at home

The victim told detectives the abuse began in 2015, the spokesperson said, when he volunteered for an after-school program that Curtis was running and “they were often alone together”

Charging documents show the victim told detectives Curtis sexually abused him in a classroom, in a car, at his home, and as well as Curtis’ home “more than 20 times” when he was in middle school. The complaint goes onto say Curtis also gave the boy drugs and alcohol multiple times.

A warrant for Curtis’s arrest was obtained on Oct. 31, 2023 and Curtis turned herself in on Nov. 7, 2023, officials reported.

At the time, Curtis had been a teacher for about two years in Montgomery County and taught at Lakelands Park Middle School as well.

A spokesperson told Fox 5 Curtis left Montgomery County Public Schools in 2017.

USA TODAY has reached out to Montgomery County Public Schools.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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