Kiera Jefferson
New York City is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world, and its air quality is a persistent problem. While the city's air quality has improved in recent decades, certain air pollutants continue to pose a significant threat to public health. The worst polluters in New York include vehicle traffic, industrial facilities, and maritime traffic. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels in residential and commercial buildings is a major contributor to air pollution in the city. Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by air pollution and face higher risks of negative health outcomes. Ozone pollution, particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the most harmful pollutants in New York City, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of polluting facilities with violations of environmental laws | 235 |
| Number of polluting facilities in New York | 580 |
| Top counties with the most pollution | Monroe, Orange, Dutchess |
| Total pollution in the air in 2021 | 3.8 million pounds |
| Total pollution in the water in 2021 | 4.5 million pounds |
| Pollutants | Carcinogens, chemicals causing developmental issues for children, nitrate compounds, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, VOCs, PM2.5, NO2, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, NOx |
| Areas with the worst air quality | Close to emission sources such as industries, with significant traffic presence and a lack of green areas, Jamaica area, Midtown Manhattan, Financial District |
| Number of deaths caused by ozone and PM2.5 in NYC | 2,400 per year |
| Number of hospitalizations and emergency department visits caused by ozone and PM2.5 in NYC | Thousands per year |
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What You'll Learn
New York's worst polluting counties
New York's air quality has been a significant concern, with its unique weather conditions and high population density contributing to a range of pollutants that impact residents' health and the environment. While the state has made some progress in reducing pollution, certain counties continue to struggle with high levels of toxic emissions.
Upstate New York, in particular, has been plagued by industrial pollution. The top 10 counties with the highest levels of pollution linked to industries include Monroe, Orange, and Dutchess counties, ranking 2nd, 6th, and 10th highest, respectively. These counties have seen about 235 facilities violate environmental laws, improperly releasing toxins that pose health and environmental risks.
Oneida County also stands out, with 30 facilities releasing approximately 281,390 pounds of chemicals into the air, water, and soil. Saes Smart Materials in New Hartford was the top polluting facility in the county, releasing nearly 177,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals off-site, including hydrogen fluoride, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.
New York City, a densely populated metropolitan area, faces distinct pollution challenges. The city's buildings are the worst offenders in the country regarding NOx emissions, primarily driven by combustion emissions. These emissions contribute to secondary PM2.5 formation and ozone creation, the primary ingredient in smog. As a result, New York City's ozone levels exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) limits, posing respiratory health risks to residents.
Furthermore, mobile emission sources such as cars and trucks contribute significantly to New York City's air pollution. The city's high congestion levels lead to elevated levels of pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde, which are linked to increased cancer risks and respiratory issues. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by these pollutants, facing higher exposure to PM2.5 emissions and experiencing greater health risks as a result.
While New York has made some progress in reducing pollution, as evident in the improving year-round particle pollution levels in the New York-Newark area, the state still has a long way to go in addressing the environmental and health threats posed by its worst-polluting counties.
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![Report of the New York Bay pollution commission to Frank Wayland Higgins, governor of the state ... 1908 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Polluting industries and facilities
New York City's air quality has improved over the past few decades, but it continues to pose a significant threat to public health. The city's unique weather conditions, industrial plants, and transport networks contribute to its poor air quality. The top 10 counties with the most pollution in New York include Monroe, Orange, and Dutchess counties, which rank 2nd, 6th, and 10th highest, respectively.
In 2021, New York's pollution included nearly 3.8 million pounds of pollutants released into the air and about 4.5 million pounds discharged into the water. The pollutants included known carcinogens and chemicals causing a range of diseases and developmental issues. New York City's buildings are a major source of NOx emissions, which contribute to the formation of PM2.5 and ozone, leading to respiratory health issues. The city has the highest NOx emissions from residential and commercial buildings in the country, with combustion emissions from buildings generating twice as much NOx pollution as light-duty passenger vehicles and seven times as much as power plants.
Mobile emission sources, such as cars and trucks, are a significant contributor to air pollution in New York City. The city has the lowest per capita vehicle miles traveled of any US city, but its size and density make it one of the most congested. High congestion areas have 83% higher benzene levels and 45% higher formaldehyde levels than areas with lower traffic congestion. Gas-powered motor vehicles are a primary source of ambient benzene, and vehicle combustion produces formaldehyde.
In addition to transportation and buildings, industrial facilities and power plants also contribute to air pollution in New York. The Jamaica area, located in the southwest part of the city, has one of the worst levels of urban air quality due to its proximity to JFK airport, an extensive road network, and significant maritime traffic. Certain neighbourhoods, particularly low-income communities and communities of colour, experience more severe health impacts from air pollution.
New York City has taken steps to improve air quality, such as enacting Local Law 97 in 2019 to reduce emissions from large existing buildings. The city also has a network of air quality stations that monitor atmospheric pollution and provide data on the presence and levels of major urban pollutants. Additionally, the New York City Air Quality Map is an interactive online tool that provides up-to-date information on air quality in various areas of the city.
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Air pollution from vehicles
New York City is one of the most congested cities in the nation due to its size and density. About 2.5 million residents drive into Manhattan every day. As a result, much of the air pollution in New York City comes from mobile emission sources, such as cars and trucks. In fact, the city's vehicles are the single largest contributor to ground-level ozone, which is a common component of smog.
Cars, trucks, buses, off-road vehicles, and planes are all considered mobile sources of air pollution. To reduce air pollution from these sources, the federal Clean Air Act of 1990 requires the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to provide technical, regulatory, and policy support for vehicle emission control programs. DEC also implements and maintains the statewide Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) emissions testing program.
Gas-powered motor vehicles are a primary source of ambient benzene in New York City. Benzene is a known carcinogen that is naturally occurring in crude oils used in gasoline. Ambient formaldehyde, another known carcinogen, is also produced by motor vehicles through the combustion of fuels. Formaldehyde can also be formed in the atmosphere when hydrocarbons react with sunlight. Areas of high congestion have 83% higher benzene levels and 45% higher formaldehyde levels than areas of lower congestion.
To improve New York City's air quality, the city has promoted a three-prong approach: community outreach, increasing access to public charging stations, and improving accessibility and vehicle economics. The goal is to achieve 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by the end of 2021 and 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025. New York City has also joined seven other states in an initiative to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025.
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Building emissions
New York City's building emissions are a significant contributor to the city's overall pollution levels. The city's buildings account for nearly two-thirds of its greenhouse gas emissions, with residential and commercial buildings being the worst offenders in terms of NOx emissions. These emissions are primarily driven by combustion, such as the burning of fossil fuels for space and water heating, and they have severe respiratory health effects on residents.
In 2019, New York City passed the Climate Mobilization Act (CMA), which includes Local Law 97. This law requires most buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet greenhouse gas emissions limits by setting carbon emissions caps. The goal is to reduce emissions from the city's largest buildings by 40% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Local Law 97 also encourages the use of electric equipment and renewable energy sources through various incentives and credits.
To track the progress of these initiatives, New York has been collecting benchmarking data on building energy and water usage since 2010. This data has helped the city implement policies that promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions. As a result, energy use and carbon emissions from NYC's largest buildings have decreased over the past 13 years.
Despite these efforts, New York City continues to face challenges in addressing building emissions. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by PM2.5 emissions, with Black New Yorkers facing 32% higher exposure. Additionally, the city still has plans to construct new buildings that burn fossil fuels, which could further exacerbate the problem.
To address these issues, NYC Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel is leading an effort to pass legislation prohibiting gas hookups in new buildings and promoting an all-electric future. This shift to all-electric buildings is crucial for improving health and air quality, particularly in marginalized communities.
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Health impacts of pollution
New York City is the most populous city in the United States, and despite typically having reasonably clean air, air pollution poses a severe hazard to the health of its residents. A variety of illnesses, including respiratory, circulatory, neurological, gastrointestinal, and urinary illnesses, which can be fatal, are associated with air pollution.
The New York Health Department estimates that PM2.5 pollution contributes to over 3,000 deaths and 2,000 hospital admissions for coronary and respiratory conditions annually. A 10% reduction in PM2.5 could reduce the number of deaths and hospital admissions by 300 and 200, respectively. Ozone is among the most dangerous gaseous pollutants and is a critical component of smog. Ozone pollution has been linked to hospital visits for asthma, with Staten Island, Southern Brooklyn, Central Queens, and the Northwest Bronx having the highest ozone-related death rates.
The effects of air pollution are not equally distributed among the general population. Marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, are disproportionately exposed to PM2.5 emissions. Black New Yorkers face 32% higher exposure to PM2.5 than the population average.
In addition to the health impacts of air pollution, New York also faces water pollution. In 2021, approximately 4.5 million pounds of pollutants were discharged into streams, rivers, and other runoff. Nitrate compounds released into the water can contribute to harmful algal blooms that kill aquatic life, cause health issues, and close beaches.
To improve air quality, the city has implemented Local Law 97 to reduce emissions in large existing buildings and introduced cleaner vehicles into transit fleets. However, New York City currently has no plans to stop constructing new buildings that burn fossil fuels. A new effort, led by NYC Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, aims to pass legislation to prohibit gas hookups in new buildings and push for an all-electric future.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of pollution in New York are industrial plants, transport networks, and maritime traffic. In addition, New York City is the worst offender in the country when it comes to NOx emissions from residential and commercial buildings.
The top 10 counties with the most pollution include Monroe, Orange, and Dutchess counties. The Jamaica area, due to its proximity to JFK airport and an extensive road network, has one of the least clean airs in the city.
The health impacts of pollution in New York are significant, with ozone and PM2.5 causing about 2,400 deaths per year in NYC and thousands more emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma, heart and lung problems. Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by these health impacts.
